Garth Rizzuto

Garth Alexander Rizzuto (born September 11, 1947) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA) during the 1970s. He played 37 games for the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL in 1970–71 and 110 games for the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA between 1972 and 1974, as well as several years in the minor CHL and American Hockey League. He retired in 1974.

Playing career A hard-working center, Rizzuto came up through the system of the Chicago Blackhawks, turning pro in 1967. He spent three solid years in the minors with the Dallas Black Hawks but never saw an NHL game in Chicago. In the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft he was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks.

Rizzuto spent most of the 1970–71 season on the Canucks' roster as a utility player, recording 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 37 games. He is the first player born and trained in British Columbia to suit up with the Canucks and score for the team. For the 1971–72 season, he was sent to the minors.

For the 1972–73 season, Rizzuto signed on with the Winnipeg Jets of the rival upstart World Hockey Association. He was his best professional season, recording 10 goals and 20 points, helping a team led by Bobby Hull to the Avco Cup finals. In 1973–74, however, his role would be reduced and he finished with 3 goals and 7 points in 41 games. He retired after a brief stint as a player-coach of the Nelson Maple Leafs of the Western International Hockey League at the start of the 1974–75 season.

Post-playing career He now resides in Langley, British Columbia as the owner of Rizzuto Construction and is a boxing trainer.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1965–66 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL 22 5 11 16 16 5 0 2 2 14 1966–67 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL 55 24 31 55 133 14 7 16 23 59 1967–68 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 47 5 14 19 17 5 2 1 3 4 1968–69 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 72 30 29 59 71 11 2 4 6 10 1969–70 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 72 20 42 62 55 — — — — — 1970–71 Vancouver Canucks NHL 37 3 4 7 16 — — — — — 1970–71 Rochester Americans AHL 22 8 12 20 56 — — — — — 1971–72 Rochester Americans AHL 36 6 8 14 11 — — — — — 1971–72 Seattle Totems WHL 23 4 15 19 36 — — — — — 1972–73 Winnipeg Jets WHA 61 10 10 20 32 14 0 1 1 14 1973–74 Winnipeg Jets WHA 41 3 4 7 8 — — — — — 1974–75 Nelson Maple Leafs WIHL 6 4 7 11 34 — — — — —WHA totals 102 13 14 27 40 14 0 1 1 14NHL totals 37 3 4 7 16 — — — — —