Rick Kennedy (ice hockey) explained

Rick Kennedy
Birth Date:31 August 1951
Birth Place:Weston, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:175
Position:Wing
Shoots:Left
Played For:Saint Louis
Sioux City Musketeers
Career Start:1971
Career End:1976
Draft:Undrafted

Richard kennedy is a Canadian retired ice hockey winger and coach who was the NCAA Scoring Champion in 1972–73.

Career

Kennedy was enticed to join the fairly new program at Saint Louis University in 1971 due to knowing that, being a new program, he could play top minutes straight away and that the Billikens played their home games in the St. Louis Arena, the home of the St. Louis Blues.[1] After a decent freshman season, Kennedy's numbers exploded in his sophomore campaign; he led the nation in goals (47), assists (49) and points (96), leading the country's best offense to the top of the CCHA. Unfortunately, due to the low regard for the conference by most of college hockey, Kennedy's accomplishments went unrecognized outside of the CCHA. Due to this lack of respect, Saint Louis knew the conference tournament would be the end of their season. Despite dominating during the season, Saint Louis lost the opening game to Bowling Green and had to settle for second place.

As an upperclassmen, Kennedy's numbers declined as the team's strength of schedule improved but the Billikens were much more focused come playoff time, winning consecutive CCHA championships with Kennedy being named to the All-CCHA teams three years running. After graduating Kennedy played one season of senior hockey before hanging up his skates. He eventually became the head coach at Christian Brothers College and led the team to four MSCHA championships.[2] He was inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

  Regular Season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1970–71North York RangersOHA-B
1971–72Vancouver NatsWHL2143724
1971–72Saint LouisCCHA36
1972–73Saint LouisCCHA3847499622
1973–74Saint LouisCCHA3728305810
1974–75Saint LouisCCHA403328618
1975–76Sioux City MusketeersUSHL48436610933

Awards and honours

AwardYear
All-CCHA First Team1972-73[3]
CCHA All-Tournament Team1973[4]
All-CCHA Second Team1973-74[5]
All-CCHA First Team1974-75[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: 2010 Rick Kennedy St Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame . YouTube . March 6, 2021.
  2. News: Past Champions . Mid States Club Hockey Association . March 6, 2021.
  3. News: All-CCHA Teams. College Hockey Historical Archives. 2013-07-27.
  4. News: 2012-13 CCHA Media Guide. ISSUU.com. 2014-04-23.
  5. News: All-CCHA Teams. College Hockey Historical Archives. 2013-07-27.
  6. News: All-CCHA Teams. College Hockey Historical Archives. 2013-07-27.