Ed Pizunski
Encyclopedia
Ed Pizunski, born 8 October 1954 in Toronto
, Ontario
, was a professional hockey
player from 1972 until his retirement after the 1980-81 Muskegon Mohawks
season. He was selected by Kansas City Scouts
in round 13 (#203 overall) of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
. In the 1975–76 WHA season he played in the major leagues when he suited up with the Denver Spurs
/Ottawa Civics
for one World Hockey Association
regular season game.
He was known widely for his agitating play and great fighting style. He changed the game every time he played and made the opponents play with fear. He started out his illustrious career with the Aurora Tigers
playing 17 games and recording 17 goals. His final season was his second time with the Muskegon Mohawks
, where he was always a fan favorite, playing 37 games and recording 18 goals, 20 assists, 38 points and 106 penalty minutes. His final game was a very sad moment for the packed crowd in L. C. Walker Arena
. He skated the final lap and the fans gave him a standing ovation for his dedication towards the Muskegon organization. His career was ended quite sadly and quickly due to an injury that he could not overcome. He will always be known as the "Raging Bull" in the hearts of all Muskegonites. Currently, he has a local bar called the "Tipsy Toad Tavern" where many Muskegon hockey fans meet before and after all games. If you are lucky you can run into the man himself to receive autographs. The Muskegon Lumberjacks
(previously—the "Muskegon Mohawks
" and the "Muskegon Fury
") have still not retired his number.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, was a professional hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player from 1972 until his retirement after the 1980-81 Muskegon Mohawks
Muskegon Mohawks
The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....
season. He was selected by Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
in round 13 (#203 overall) of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
1974 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
. In the 1975–76 WHA season he played in the major leagues when he suited up with the Denver Spurs
Denver Spurs
The Denver Spurs were a professional ice hockey team based out of Denver, Colorado. The Spurs began play in the Western Hockey League in 1968, and played at the Denver Coliseum. The Spurs became the first professional sports team in Colorado to win a championship in 1971–72...
/Ottawa Civics
Ottawa Civics
The Ottawa Civics was a professional ice hockey team based out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that played a portion of one season in the World Hockey Association in a mid-season relocation of the Denver Spurs.-Move to Ottawa:...
for one World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
regular season game.
He was known widely for his agitating play and great fighting style. He changed the game every time he played and made the opponents play with fear. He started out his illustrious career with the Aurora Tigers
Aurora Tigers
The Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
playing 17 games and recording 17 goals. His final season was his second time with the Muskegon Mohawks
Muskegon Mohawks
The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....
, where he was always a fan favorite, playing 37 games and recording 18 goals, 20 assists, 38 points and 106 penalty minutes. His final game was a very sad moment for the packed crowd in L. C. Walker Arena
L. C. Walker Arena
The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon...
. He skated the final lap and the fans gave him a standing ovation for his dedication towards the Muskegon organization. His career was ended quite sadly and quickly due to an injury that he could not overcome. He will always be known as the "Raging Bull" in the hearts of all Muskegonites. Currently, he has a local bar called the "Tipsy Toad Tavern" where many Muskegon hockey fans meet before and after all games. If you are lucky you can run into the man himself to receive autographs. The Muskegon Lumberjacks
Muskegon Lumberjacks
The Muskegon Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Muskegon, Michigan.-Facts:-Season-by-Season record:Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses/Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in...
(previously—the "Muskegon Mohawks
Muskegon Mohawks
The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....
" and the "Muskegon Fury
Muskegon Fury
The Muskegon Fury was a International Hockey League ice hockey team located in Muskegon, Michigan.The Fury were established in 1992 after the original Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League's previous incarnation relocated to Cleveland, Ohio...
") have still not retired his number.
Regular season and playoffs statistics
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM- 1972-73 Aurora Tigers OPJHL 17 7 8 15 0
- 1973-74 Peterborough Petes OHA 66 5 18 23 101
- 1974-75 Toronto Nationals OHA-B 77 0 0 0 200
- 1975-76 Erie Blades NAHL 10 2 1 3 63
- 1975-76 Binghamton Dusters NAHL 13 1 2 3 90
- 1975-76 Tucson Mavericks CHL 2 0 0 0 0
- 1975-76 Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics WHA 1 0 0 0 0
- 1976-77 Muskegon Mohawks IHL 62 19 22 41 308 2 0 0 0 17
- 1977-78 Muskegon Mohawks IHL 2 2 0 2 6
- 1977-78 Fort Worth Texans CHL 63 13 18 31 91 10 0 1 1 14
- 1977-78 Phoenix Roadrunners CHL 4 3 2 5 4
- 1978-79 Fort Worth Texans CHL 68 29 16 45 62 3 1 1 2 5
- 1979-80 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 5 2 3 5 4
- 1979-80 Indianapolis Checkers CHL 60 22 21 43 51 7 2 4 6 4
- 1980-81 Muskegon Mohawks IHL 37 18 20 38 106
External links
- hockeyDB.com: Ed Pizunski
- http://google.com/search?q=cache:k8k0hUFC7vUJ:www.mhshca.com/media/09-All%2520State/mhshca.allstate.2009.1.xls+billy+pizunski&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
- http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/1417913855/despite-injuries-soto-played-on/
- http://www.chapin-explorer.com/ad-tipsy-toad-tavern.htm