Fran Huck

Anthony Francis Huck (born December 4, 1945) is a Canadian former ice hockey player. Huck played professionally in both the National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA) between 1970 and 1978. However, his greatest contributions may have been with the Canadian national team during years before NHL players were allowed to compete internationally. His amateur career peaked at the 1968 Winter Olympics where he helped the team win the bronze medal. In 1999, Huck was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

Amateur career Huck excelled in junior hockey with the Regina Pats. His achievements included winning the scoring title, making the all-star team and being named league MVP. After junior, Huck shocked many by joining the Canadian national team instead of the NHL. At the time the program, run by Father David Bauer, afforded hockey players the alternative of pursuing higher education while still playing hockey. Huck wanted to study law. He was with the national team from 1965 to 1969 winning the bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics and also bronze at the IIHF World Championships in 1966 and 1967.

Professional career After playing with the national team, Huck began his professional career with the Montreal Canadiens, followed by two seasons with the St. Louis Blues and the Western Hockey League's Denver Spurs. He then moved over to the WHA, joining the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Fighting Saints. In all, Huck played three seasons in the NHL and five in the WHA. He retired after the 1977-78 season.

Personal life and post-hockey career Huck graduated from the University of Manitoba with a law degree in 1970. Today he is a practicing lawyer in British Columbia. He is also senior partner in a firm which specializes in helping former athletes make the transition to life after their sporting career.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1962–63 Regina Pats SJHL 28 4 11 15 20 5 4 2 6 8 1963–64 Regina Pats SJHL 62 86 67 153 104 19 22 18 40 60 1963–64 Estevan Bruins M-Cup — — — — — 5 3 0 3 4 1963–64 Edmonton Oil Kings M-Cup — — — — — 4 2 3 5 0 1964–65 Regina Pats SJHL 56 77 59 136 36 12 10 13 23 18 1964–65 Edmonton Oil Kings M-Cup — — — — — 10 15 10 25 4 1965–66 Canadian National Team Intl — — — — — — — — — — 1966–67 Canadian National Team Intl — — — — — — — — — — 1967–68 Ottawa Nationals OHA Sr 18 8 17 25 24 — — — — — 1968–69 Canadian National Team Intl — — — — — — — — — — 1969–70 Canadian National Team Intl — — — — — — — — — — 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1969–70 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 2 1 2 3 0 — — — — — 1970–71 Montreal Canadiens NHL 5 1 2 3 0 — — — — — 1970–71 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 31 12 17 29 18 — — — — — 1970–71 St. Louis Blues NHL 29 7 8 15 18 6 1 2 3 2 1971–72 Denver Spurs WHL 72 28 63 91 83 9 9 4 13 16 1972–73 St. Louis Blues NHL 58 16 20 36 20 5 2 2 4 0 1973–74 Winnipeg Jets WHA 74 26 48 74 68 4 0 0 0 2 1974–75 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 78 22 45 67 26 12 3 13 16 6 1975–76 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 59 17 32 49 27 — — — — — 1976–77 Zürcher SC NLB — — — — — — — — — — 1976–77 Winnipeg Jets WHA 12 2 2 4 10 7 0 2 2 6 1977–78 Winnipeg Jets WHA 5 0 0 0 2 — — — — — WHA totals 228 67 127 194 133 23 3 15 18 4 NHL totals 94 24 30 54 38 11 3 4 7 2

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1966 Canada WC 7 4 4 8 8 1967 Canada WC 7 5 6 11 6 1968 Canada OLY 7 4 5 9 10 1969 Canada WC 10 3 2 5 12 Junior totals 31 16 17 33 36

Honours and awards Named to First All-Star Team 1966 and 1968 IIHF World Championships. Inducted International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1999 WHL Most Valuable Player, 1971–72 Inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of fame in 2006