Bob Woytowich

Robert Ivan Woytowich (August 18, 1941 – July 30, 1988) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played for the National Hockey League from 1964 to 1972, and in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976.

Playing career Woytowich started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1964. He would also play for the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings. He left for World Hockey Association after the 1972 season. He would play for the Winnipeg Jets and Indianapolis Racers.

During Woytowich's tenure in Pittsburgh, he became a favorite of fans who formed a fan club called Woytowich's Polish Army (Woytowich was of Polish descent). The club camped in the upper reaches of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena during weekday home games and filled an entire section during Saturday home games. Despite its name, one did not have to be of Polish descent to be a member of the Polish Army. Members had to have the money to purchase a general admission ticket and were forbidden from saying anything nice about Penguins opponents.

On July 30, 1988, Woytowich suffered a heart attack while driving his car near Winnipeg. The car was involved in an accident and he died.

Awards and achievements CPHL First All-Star Team (1964) Played in NHL All-Star Game (1970) Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1958–59 Transcona Rangers MJHL 28 7 3 10 34 4 0 1 1 4 1959–60 Winnipeg Rangers MJHL 27 7 16 23 68 12 6 2 8 34 1960–61 Winnipeg Rangers MJHL 30 8 21 29 82 9 3 7 10 6 1960–61 Seattle Totems WHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1961–62 Winnipeg Rangers MJHL 40 9 18 27 65 — — — — — 1961–62 Brandon Wheat Kings M-Cup — — — — — 7 1 3 4 12 1962–63 Sudbury Wolves EPHL 71 17 27 44 69 8 0 3 3 8 1963–64 St. Paul Rangers CPHL 68 9 31 40 101 11 2 4 6 8 1964–65 Boston Bruins NHL 21 2 10 12 16 — — — — — 1964–65 Hershey Bears AHL 48 5 21 26 56 — — — — — 1965–66 Boston Bruins NHL 68 2 17 19 75 — — — — — 1966–67 Boston Bruins NHL 64 2 7 9 43 — — — — — 1967–68 Minnesota North Stars NHL 66 4 17 21 63 14 0 1 1 18 1968–69 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 71 9 20 29 62 — — — — — 1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 68 8 25 33 49 10 1 2 3 2 1970–71 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 78 4 22 26 30 — — — — — 1971–72 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 31 1 4 5 8 — — — — — 1971–72 Los Angeles Kings NHL 36 0 4 4 6 — — — — — 1972–73 Winnipeg Jets WHA 62 2 4 6 47 14 1 1 2 4 1973–74 Winnipeg Jets WHA 72 6 28 34 43 4 0 0 0 0 1974–75 Winnipeg Jets WHA 24 0 4 4 8 — — — — — 1974–75 Indianapolis Racers WHA 42 0 8 8 28 — — — — — 1975–76 Indianapolis Racers WHA 42 1 7 8 14 — — — — — 1976–77 Mohawk Valley Comets NAHL 37 0 10 10 4 — — — — — 1977–78 Steinbach Stallions CCSHL 4 0 1 1 7 — — — — — WHA totals 242 9 51 60 140 18 1 1 2 4 NHL totals 503 32 126 158 352 24 1 3 4 20