Bruce Bullock Explained

Position:Goaltender
Catches:Right
Height Ft:5
Height In:7
Weight Lb:160
Played For:Vancouver Canucks
Birth Date:May 9, 1949
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:1972
Career End:1977

Bruce John Bullock (born May 9, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who spent parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League in the 1970s with the Vancouver Canucks.

Playing for Clarkson University, Bullock was one of the most decorated college goaltenders of his era. He was named to the NCAA First Team All-American in goal in both 1970 and 1971 (succeeding Hall of Famer Ken Dryden, who took the honor from 1967–69), and was named ECAC Player of the Year in 1971. He also led Clarkson to the 1970 NCAA title game, where they lost to Cornell.

Following his college career, Bullock was signed by the Vancouver Canucks during training camp, and assigned to their farm team, the Rochester Americans. He was then loaned to the Chicago Black Hawks' farm team in Dallas. When a position became available at the Canucks' other farm team, the Seattle Totems, he was assigned there where he completed his rookie pro season. He caught a break in 1972–73 when an injury to Canuck starter Dunc Wilson forced his recall from the minors. He appeared in 13 games for Vancouver, posting a 3–8–3 record with a 4.79 GAA, until his season ended due to a broken finger, requiring surgery.

Bullock spent another four seasons in Vancouver's organization, but never saw substantial NHL action, partially due to hand injuries. He made one start for the club in the 1974–75 campaign, and another appearance in 1976–77. During his minor league career, he helped the Seattle Totems upset the USSR national team in an exhibition game and was instrumental in helping the Tulsa Oilers win the Adams Cup in 1975–76. He was ultimately released by Vancouver in 1977 to make room in the system for high draft picks Glen Hanlon and Murray Bannerman, and played two more seasons with the Phoenix Roadrunners in the Pacific Hockey League before retiring in 1979.

In 16 NHL appearances, Bullock posted a 3–9–3 record with a 4.79 GAA.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP W L T MIN GA SV%GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1968–69Clarkson UniversityECAC28 19 7 2 1676 96 3 3.44
1969–70Clarkson UniversityECAC27 25 2 0 1550 79 4 3.06
1970–71Clarkson UniversityECAC30 28 1 1 1800 71 1 2.37
1971–72Dallas Black HawksCHL5 0 2 1 220 15 0 3.75
1971–72Seattle TotemsWHL10 3 7 0 564 43 0 4.57
1972–73Vancouver CanucksNHL14 3 8 3 840 67 0 4.79 .857
1972–73Seattle TotemsWHL13 7 6 0 750 45 0 3.60
1973–74Seattle TotemsWHL46 22 20 3 2703 165 2 3.66
1974–75Vancouver CanucksNHL1 0 1 0 60 4 0 4.00 .840
1974–75Seattle TotemsCHL48 14 20 7 2580 168 1 3.91
1975–76Beauce JarosNAHL19 1067 60 2 3.37
1975–76Tulsa OilersCHL17 13 3 0 958 39 1 2.44 6 6 0 360 10 1 1.67
1976–77Vancouver CanucksNHL1 0 0 0 27 3 0 6.77
1976–77Tulsa OilersCHL40 20 14 6 2347 135 1 3.45 8 4 4 480 21 0 2.63
1977–78Phoenix RoadrunnersPHL31 1747 104 1 3.57
1978–79Phoenix RoadrunnersPHL31 1872 100 1 3.21
NHL totals16 3 9 3 927 74 0 4.79 .854

Awards and honors

AwardYear
AHCA East All-American1969–70[1]
ECAC Hockey All-Tournament First Team1970
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team1970[2]
All-ECAC Hockey First Team1970–71[3]
AHCA East All-American1970–71[4]
ECAC Hockey All-Tournament First Team1971

Notes and References

  1. News: Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners. NCAA.org. June 11, 2013.
  2. News: NCAA Frozen Four Records. NCAA.org. 2013-06-19.
  3. News: ECAC All-Teams. College Hockey Historical Archives. May 19, 2013.
  4. News: Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners. NCAA.org. June 11, 2013.