Bob Woytowich

Robert Ivan Woytowich (August 18, 1941 – July 30, 1988) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played for the National Hockey League from 1964 to 1972, and in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976.

Bob Woytowich
Born	(1941-08-18)August 18, 1941 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died	July 30, 1988(1988-07-30) (aged 46) near St. Andrews, Manitoba, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Right
Played for	Boston Bruins Minnesota North Stars Pittsburgh Penguins Los Angeles Kings Winnipeg Jets (WHA) Indianapolis Racers (WHA)
Playing career	1962–1978

Playing career

Woytowich started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1964. He would also play for the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings. He left for World Hockey Association after the 1972 season. He would play for the Winnipeg Jets and Indianapolis Racers.

During Woytowich's tenure in Pittsburgh, he became a favorite of fans who formed a fan club called Woytowich's Polish Army (Woytowich was of Polish descent). The club camped in the upper reaches of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena during weekday home games and filled an entire section during Saturday home games. Despite its name, one did not have to be of Polish descent to be a member of the Polish Army. Members had to have the money to purchase a general admission ticket and were forbidden from saying anything nice about Penguins opponents.

On July 30, 1988, Woytowich suffered a heart attack while driving his car near Winnipeg. The car was involved in an accident and he died.

Awards and achievements

• CPHL First All-Star Team (1964)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1970)
• Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1958–59	Transcona Rangers	MJHL		28	7	3	10	34		4	0	1	1	4
1959–60	Winnipeg Rangers	MJHL		27	7	16	23	68		12	6	2	8	34
1960–61	Winnipeg Rangers	MJHL		30	8	21	29	82		9	3	7	10	6
1960–61	Seattle Totems	WHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1961–62	Winnipeg Rangers	MJHL		40	9	18	27	65		—	—	—	—	—
1961–62	Brandon Wheat Kings	M-Cup		—	—	—	—	—		7	1	3	4	12
1962–63	Sudbury Wolves	EPHL		71	17	27	44	69		8	0	3	3	8
1963–64	St. Paul Rangers	CPHL		68	9	31	40	101		11	2	4	6	8
1964–65	Boston Bruins	NHL		21	2	10	12	16		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Hershey Bears	AHL		48	5	21	26	56		—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	Boston Bruins	NHL		68	2	17	19	75		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Boston Bruins	NHL		64	2	7	9	43		—	—	—	—	—
1967–68	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		66	4	17	21	63		14	0	1	1	18
1968–69	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		71	9	20	29	62		—	—	—	—	—
1969–70	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		68	8	25	33	49		10	1	2	3	2
1970–71	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		78	4	22	26	30		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		31	1	4	5	8		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		36	0	4	4	6		—	—	—	—	—
1972–73	Winnipeg Jets	WHA		62	2	4	6	47		14	1	1	2	4
1973–74	Winnipeg Jets	WHA		72	6	28	34	43		4	0	0	0	0
1974–75	Winnipeg Jets	WHA		24	0	4	4	8		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Indianapolis Racers	WHA		42	0	8	8	28		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Indianapolis Racers	WHA		42	1	7	8	14		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Mohawk Valley Comets	NAHL		37	0	10	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Steinbach Stallions	CCSHL		4	0	1	1	7		—	—	—	—	—
WHA totals				242	9	51	60	140		18	1	1	2	4
NHL totals				503	32	126	158	352		24	1	3	4	20

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database