Ron Busniuk
| Ron Busniuk | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948 |
| Died | 2024 |
| Years in Thunder Bay | by 1964–1966; 1978–at least 1985 |
Ronald Edward Busniuk (August 13, 1948 – March 8, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played six games in the National Hockey League, all with the Buffalo Sabres, during 1973 and 1974. Busniuk then moved to the WHA, playing a total of four full seasons with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, New England Whalers and Edmonton Oilers between 1974 and 1978. Before turning professional Busniuk played NCAA hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and was an All-American his senior year. After graduation, he played in the AHL with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs and the Cincinnati Swords. He was named to the AHL First All-Star Team.[1]
Thunder Bay connections
Ron Busniuk was born in Fort William on August 13, 1948. As a junior he played for the Fort William Kings and the Fort William Canadiens in the Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League. After his playing career he coached the Thunder Bay Twins senior hockey team to two consecutive championships in the 1980s. He was the older brother of fellow NHL player Mike Busniuk, and died in Thunder Bay on March 8, 2024, at the age of 75.
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Ron Busniuk was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 as an athlete (ceremony date given as 24 September 2016), for hockey and baseball.[2]
Raised in Fort William during the 1950s and 1960s, he first achieved national recognition in Baseball. He was a member of the 1964 Fort William Nationals team that secured the first Canadian Senior Little League championship for the region. Transitioning to Hockey, he progressed through the local minor systems and joined the Fort William Canadiens of the junior ranks, where he was honored as the Rookie of the Year. In 1967, he was recruited by the Port Arthur Marrs to participate in their pursuit of the Memorial Cup.[2]
In 1966, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth, playing for the Bulldogs from 1967 to 1970. During his collegiate career, he played both as a forward and a defenseman. He was named the program's Rookie of the Year for the 1967-68 season and served as the team Captain during the 1969-70 campaign. He led the Bulldogs in scoring for three consecutive years and was twice selected as the team Most Valuable Player. His accolades included being named an All-American, receiving All-WCHA First Team honors, and winning the UMD Outstanding Senior Athlete Award. He was later inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.[2]
Professional play began within the Montreal Canadiens organization. He played for their American Hockey League affiliate, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, contributing to their 1971-72 Calder Cup victory, which marked the first time a Canadian-based team won the title. After being traded to the Buffalo Sabres system, he won a second consecutive Calder Cup with the 1972-73 Cincinnati Swords. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Sabres in March 1973 against the Boston Bruins. During the 1973-74 season with the Swords, he was named an AHL First Team All-Star and appeared in five additional NHL games, tallying three assists.[2]
In 1974, he moved to the World Hockey Association, playing defense for the Minnesota Fighting Saints. He joined the New England Whalers during the 1975-76 season before being acquired by the Edmonton Oilers in 1977. He served as an Assistant Captain for the Oilers for two seasons until his retirement from professional play in 1978. Upon returning to Thunder Bay, he played two seasons for the Thunder Bay Twins before transitioning into coaching. He managed the Twins to back-to-back Allan Cup national senior titles in 1984 and 1985. His coaching career also included leading a team to the 1982 Air Canada Cup and serving as a long-time instructor and advisor in minor hockey.[2]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (by 1964–1966; 1978–at least 1985) rests on the following dated evidence. Grew up in Fort William in the 1950s and 60s, played baseball in 1964 and junior hockey until 1966, then returned to play for and coach the Thunder Bay Twins from 1978 to 1985.[2]
Achievements listed in the profile:
- Won the Canadian Senior Little League title with the Fort William Nationals in 1964
- Named Junior Hockey Rookie of the Year with the Fort William Canadiens
- Led the University of Minnesota-Duluth in scoring for three consecutive seasons from 1967 to 1970
- Named an NCAA All-American and All-WCHA First Team selection
- Won back-to-back Calder Cup championships with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs (1972) and Cincinnati Swords (1973)
- Selected as an AHL First Team All-Star in 1973-74
- Served as Assistant Captain for the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA
- Coached the Thunder Bay Twins to consecutive Allan Cup championships in 1984 and 1985
- Inducted into the University of Minnesota-Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001[2]
References
- ↑ This article incorporates text from the Wikipedia article on Ron Busniuk, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Ron Busniuk", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/fb0370a2-8311-469b-b540-52f8f80a5ce2 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.