Terry Ruskowski

Terry W. Ruskowski
Born	December 31, 1954 (1954-12-31) Prince Albert, SK, CAN
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Left
Played for	Houston Aeros Winnipeg Jets Chicago Black Hawks Los Angeles Kings Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota North Stars
NHL Draft	70th overall, 1974 Chicago Black Hawks
Playing career	1974–1989

Terry W. "Rosco" Ruskowski (born December 31, 1954 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) is a former National Hockey League centre, who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars.

Previously, he played for the Houston Aeros and Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. Ruskowski's leadership on the ice was recognized with his tenure as captain of the Aeros, Blackhawks, Kings, and Penguins, the only player in major professional history to captain four different clubs.

The Laredo years

In 2001, he was named the head coach of the Laredo Bucks in Laredo, Texas, a part of the Central Hockey League. On March 18, 2009, Ruskowski secured his 500th coaching win, as the Bucks defeated the Texas Brahmas of Fort Worth, 4-3, in the Southern Conference playoffs.

In 2007, Ruskowski entered the final year of a four-year contract extension with the Bucks. Ruskowski told the Laredo Morning Times that his tenure was in the hands of Bucks chairman Glenn Hart, owner Julian "Kiki" DeAyala, and team president John Beckelhymer and that he had "full faith" that he will obtain his third contract with the club. Ruskowski's optimism paid off, for he was shortly thereafter given a "lifetime contract" as the coach of the Bucks.

Ruskowski led the Bucks to the postseason in seven of his years as head coach. The team won President Cup championships in 2004 and 2006 and four consecutive Southern Conference titles. As of 2007, Ruskowski had compiled a 209–78–28 overall record in Laredo and was the CHL "Coach of the Year" during the 2005-2006 season.

Ruskowski became a well-known figure in the Laredo community. A giant poster featuring the coach plastered on city buses advertised Doctor's Hospital of Laredo. On June 3, 2010, Ruskowski was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Laredo Rotary International in a ceremony at Texas A&M University.

From the Bucks to the Killer Bees

In May 2011, Ruskowski announced his resignation after ten years as the coach of the Bucks. The decision to step down despite a lifetime contract came after declining revenues to the Bucks.

The Laredo Morning Times described Ruskowski as: "one of a kind. He was gracious in victory and even more kind in defeat. He was balanced in temperament and truly loved the city his team represented. Members of the Bucks never got too high or too low, and when you have a professional team like that, people appreciate it. Not only did Ruskowski win [two professional championships], but his affable personality, easily won over Laredoans. . . . When he revealed his departure from the Bucks last month, he did so face-to-face with season ticket holders and fans . . . when a news release would have done the job. . . . And his final sight of the fans and the people he once so enthusiastically thrilled was a lasting standing ovation, as he walked off with tears in his eyes . . . "

On June 28, 2011, Ruskowski became the coach of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees hockey team, based in McAllen, a staunch rival of the Laredo Bucks. Ruskowski has a two-year contract with the Bees.

THE EARLY YEARS

Terry started his junior hockey career in Humboldt, Saskatchewan in the the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL - Tier II) in 1970-71, playing for the Humboldt Broncos. His leadership ability at age 16 was evident, as was his ability and toughness and he helped propel the Broncos to the league final that year.

From 1971-74, Terry played for the Swift Current Broncos where he became captain in his 2nd & 3rd year and helped lead the team to until they lost in the semi-finals in 1974. As well, he still holds the team record for most assists in one year, 93 assists in 1973-74. Tery could always be counted on to stick up for his teammates and which led to many fighting penalties each year.

Terry Ruskowski is married and has two daughters.

Preceded by Keith Magnuson	Chicago Black Hawks captain 1979-82	Succeeded by Darryl Sutter
Preceded by Dave Lewis	Los Angeles Kings captain 1983-85	Succeeded by Dave Taylor
Preceded by Mike Bullard	Pittsburgh Penguins captain 1986–87	Succeeded by Dan Frawley

External links

• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Draft Central
• Terry Ruskowski's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database