Darren Schwartz

Darren Schwartz (born March 28, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 490 games in the East Coast Hockey League. He was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on January 23, 2013.

Career Schwartz's career spanned ten years, nine of which were in the East Coast Hockey League (now ECHL). He entered the league with the Johnstown Chiefs, scoring 120 points and accumulating 524 PIM from 1989 until 1991. He joined the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds in 1991 and led the team with 345 PIM, which was also the second highest total in the league.

Schwartz remained with the Thunderbirds as the franchise transferred from Winston-Salem to Wheeling and scored a career-high 62 goals in 62 games. Schwartz's 62 goals set a team record (which remains unbroken as of the completion of the 2012–13 ECHL season He also set a consecutive games with a goal scored record, scoring 25 goals in 16 games, spanning from January 14, 1993, until February 21, 1993. Schwartz also tied Jobe's league-leading mark with ten game-winning goals during the 1992–93 season.

Schwartz returned to the Thunderbirds for a third season in 1993, scoring 92 points in 67 games. He was named to All-ECHL First Team for a second time.

Schwartz joined the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks for the 1994–95 ECHL season, leading the team with 47 goals and 82 points. Schwartz was also named to the ECHL All-Star Game for a third consecutive season. During this game, Schwartz set an ECHL record by scoring his sixth career All-Star Game goal (including a hat trick in a span of 8:28 from the start of the game) and accumulating his ninth career All-Star Game point. Schwartz and the Tiger Sharks reached the Riley Cup semi-final, but lost to eventual champion Richmond Renegades three games to two. He returned to the Tiger Sharks for a second season, scoring 61 points in 20 games.

After seven seasons in the ECHL, Schwartz returned to the Winston-Salem area, joining the Winston-Salem IceHawks of the United Hockey League. Despite leading the team in goals (42), assists (35), and points (77), the IceHawks did not make the playoffs.

Schwartz returned to the ECHL and Wheeling for the 1998–99 ECHL season as a member of the Wheeling Nailers. Once again, Schwartz led his team in goals (27), assists (29), and points (56).

Retirement Schwartz retired at the end of the 1998–99 season at age 30. At the time of his retirement, Schwartz held the ECHL career record with 490 games played. The first 2500 fans through the gate received limited edition Darren Schwartz bobbleheads. Schwartz was a part of the group that was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on January 23, 2013, in Loveland, Colorado 1992–93: Quickest hat trick (December 20, 1992) 1992–93: Consecutive games with a goal scored (16) (January 14, 1993 - February 21, 1993) 1992–93: Most game-winning goals (season) (10, tied with Trevor Jobe) 1992–93: Points scored, postseason (31) 1993–95: Most goals, ECHL All-Star Game (career) (6) 1993–95: Most points, ECHL All-Star Game (career) (9) 1994–95: Fastest two goals, one player, start of game, ECHL All-Star Game (5 minutes, 52 seconds) 1994–95: Fastest hat trick, one player, ECHL All-Star Game (8 minutes, 28 seconds)

Wheeling Thunderbirds/Nailers 1991–99: Goals scored, career (166) 1992–93: Goals scored, single season (62)

Awards and accomplishments 1992–93: ECHL All-Star Game MVP 1992–93: All-ECHL First Team (left wing) 1993–94: All-ECHL First Team (left wing) 1994–95: All-ECHL First Team (left wing) 2002–03: ECHL 15th Anniversary Team (left wing, 2nd team) 2008–09: Inducted into the Wheeling Hockey Hall Of Fame 2012–13: Inducted into ECHL Hall of Fame