Wayne Chernecki Explained

Position:Centre
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:190
Birth Date:August 12, 1949
Birth Place:Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Death Place:Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Career Start:1971
Career End:1975
Played For:Springfield Kings
Providence Reds
Draft:45th overall
Draft Year:1969
Draft Team:Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Chernecki (August 12, 1949—February 11, 2013) was a Canadian ice hockey player who played professionally from 1971 to 1975.

Career

Chernecki played junior hockey with the Winnipeg Jets of the Western Canada Hockey League. In his final season with the Jets, he was one of the league's most prolific scorers, amassing 123 points in only 65 games.[1]

The Detroit Red Wings selected Chernecki in the 4th round (#45) of the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft; however he choose to remain with the Jets and pursue a business degree. After graduating from university in 1971, Chernecki turned pro and went on to play 263 regular season games in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Kings and Providence Reds. A serious knee injury forced him to retire in 1975.

Post career

After retiring as a player, Chernecki coached in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, leading the St. James Canadians to consecutive league titles. At the same time, he built a successful career as a businessman, becoming an executive in David Thomson's business empire and serving on the board of directors for True North Sports & Entertainment.[2]

Personal

Chernecki died of esophageal cancer on February 11, 2013, at the age of 63. Chernecki was posthumously inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.[3]

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
1967–68Winnipeg JetsWCHL3 2 2 4 2
1968–69Winnipeg JetsWCHL53 35 30 65 25
1969–70Winnipeg JetsWCHL30 14 10 24 12
1970–71Winnipeg JetsWCHL65 50 73 123 56
1971–72Springfield KingsAHL67 24 36 60 195 1 1 2 5
1972–73Springfield KingsAHL57 22 24 46 19
1973–74Springfield KingsAHL60 21 39 60 30
1973–74Providence RedsAHL11 3 2 5 013 1 3 4 6
1974–75Providence RedsAHL68 8 16 24 262 0 0 0 9
1977–78Elmwood MillionairesCSHL1 0 1
AHL totals26378117195942024620

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Lives Lived: Wayne Chernecki, 63.
  2. Web site: CHERNECKI WAYNE - Obituaries - Winnipeg Free Press Passages.
  3. Web site: MJHL . 2014-10-04 . 2014-10-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070810/http://www.mjhlhockey.ca/component/content/article/5-news/920-mjhl-mourns-passing-of-chernecki . dead .