Joe Jerwa

Joseph Charles Jerwa (22 January 1907 – 11 April 1983) was a Polish-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and New York Americans between 1930 and 1939. He was the first Polish-born player in NHL history.

Early life Jerwa was born in Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire, on 22 January 1907 to Frank and Anna Jerwa. The family moved to Bankhead, Alberta in 1911, then to nearby Canmore in 1922. He and his brother Frank played for both the Canmore Miners junior and senior teams during the late 1920s.

Career Jerwa's hockey career started during the 1928–29 season with the Vancouver Lions in the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL). He played 77 games with them between 1928 and 1930 before being traded to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) along with Red Beattie for $25,000. He played nine games for the Rangers' Can-Am affiliate, the Springfield Indians, before being recalled in December 1930. His NHL debut was on March 17, 1931, in the Rangers' game against the Ottawa Senators, where he recorded an assist with a pass to Butch Keeling during the second period. He played 37 games for New York during the 1930–31 season.

In 1931, he was traded from the Rangers to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Dutch Gainor. The following year, the Bruins traded Red Beattie for Jerwa's brother Frank. Just weeks before his retirement was announced, he was selected to play in the second-ever AHL All-Star Game on the western team.

Later life Following his retirement from playing, Jerwa settled in Vancouver and worked as a longshoreman. Jerwa died on April 11, 1983, aged 75, in Coquitlam, British Columbia. He was survived by his wife, children Jerry and Joan, and five grandchildren. Millie died in 1993.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1927–28 Canmore Miners ASHL — — — — — — — — — — 1928–29 Vancouver Lions PCHL 35 8 5 13 72 3 0 1 1 6 1929–30 Vancouver Lions PCHL 35 12 6 18 76 4 1 0 1 6 1930–31 New York Rangers NHL 3 4 7 11 72 4 0 0 0 4 1930–31 Springfield Indians Can-Am 9 8 0 8 26 — — — — — 1931–32 Boston Bruins NHL 11 0 0 0 8 — — — — — 1931–32 Boston Cubs Can-Am 31 7 15 22 116 5 2 2 4 27 1932–33 Boston Cubs Can-Am 39 10 18 28 108 7 4 2 6 22 1933–34 Boston Bruins NHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 1933–34 Boston Cubs Can-Am 37 4 8 12 101 5 2 0 2 28 1934–35 Boston Cubs Can-Am 44 21 17 38 95 3 1 5 6 20 1935–36 New York Americans NHL 47 9 12 21 65 5 2 3 5 2 1936–37 Boston Bruins NHL 26 3 5 8 30 — — — — — 1936–37 New York Americans NHL 20 6 8 14 27 — — — — — 1937–38 New York Americans NHL 48 3 14 17 53 6 0 0 0 8 1938–39 New York Americans NHL 47 4 12 16 52 2 0 0 0 2 1939–40 Cleveland Barons AHL 49 4 10 14 61 — — — — — 1940–41 Cleveland Barons AHL 56 13 22 35 20 4 4 0 4 6 1941–42 Cleveland Barons AHL 33 1 8 9 18 — — — — —NHL totals 204 29 58 87 309 17 2 3 5 16