Rick Jodzio

Richard Joseph Jodzio (born June 3, 1954 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Rockies and the Cleveland Barons; he also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Vancouver Blazers and the Calgary Cowboys.

In his NHL career, Jodzio appeared in 70 games. He scored two goals and added eight assists while collecting 71 minutes in penalties. He played in 137 WHA games, scoring 15 goals and adding 16 assists with 357 minutes in penalties.

Jodzio was a trained boxer. On April 11, 1976, in one of the hockey's most infamous moments, Jodzio attacked Quebec Nordiques star Marc Tardif with his hockey stick during a playoff game in Quebec City. Jodzio's crosscheck into the boards knocked Tardif unconscious and he repeatedly hit him as he lay helpless on the ice. Jodzio was suspended for the rest of the playoffs and charged with assault by Quebec police. After pleading guilty, Jodzio was fined $3,000.

Since the incident Tardif forgave Jodzio.

Jodzio is currently the owner of Frontline Freight, a less than truckload carrier based out of City of Industry, California.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1972–73 Downsview Beavers OPJAHL 21 5 9 14 39 — — — — — 1973–74 Downsview Beavers OPJAHL 30 7 12 19 166 — — — — — 1973–74 Hamilton Red Wings OHA 30 1 8 9 86 — — — — — 1974–75 Charlotte Checkers SHL 37 9 8 17 109 1 0 2 2 0 1974–75 Vancouver Blazers WHA 44 1 3 4 159 — — — — — 1975–76 Springfield Indians AHL 24 2 3 5 37 — — — — — 1975–76 Calgary Cowboys WHA 47 10 7 17 137 2 0 0 0 14 1976–77 Tidewater Sharks SHL 7 3 3 6 4 — — — — — 1976–77 Calgary Cowboys WHA 46 4 6 10 61 — — — — — 1976–77 Erie Blades NAHL 15 5 5 10 32 9 2 7 9 21 1977–78 Colorado Rockies NHL 32 0 5 5 28 — — — — — 1977–78 Cleveland Barons NHL 38 2 3 5 43 — — — — — 1978–79 Oklahoma City Stars CHL 62 4 21 25 117 — — — — — 1979–80 New Brunswick Hawks AHL 79 13 25 38 113 17 2 4 6 43 WHA totals 137 15 16 31 357 2 0 0 0 14 NHL totals 70 2 8 10 71 — — — — —