Tim Regan (ice hockey)
Encyclopedia
Tim Regan is an American
former professional ice hockey
goaltender
who played in the American Hockey League
(AHL), as well as with the Boston University Terriers (BU) and the United States National Team.
Playing for BU, Regan won two National Championships and set single season records for both goals against average
and save percentage
. As a member of Team USA he was awarded a silver medal in the 1972 Winter Olympics
. He received the medal despite leaving the team prior to the hockey tournament's
completion in order to return to BU.
freshmen
were not allowed to play on varsity teams. As a result Regan played for the Terriers' freshman team. In his freshman year he posted an 8–0 record and a 1.12 goals-against average (GAA) as the team went undefeated at 17–0. Joining the varsity team the following year, he and teammate Dan Brady formed one of college hockey's "all-time greatest goaltending tandems". During his sophomore season Regan posted a 2.82 GAA, ranking him second in the ECAC East division, as the Terriers finished third in the ECAC Championship. In the 1970–71 season, Regan's junior year, he set BU records for both GAA (1.77) and save percentage
(.929) which still stand. BU also won the National Championship
; however Regan was the backup during the championship run.
In August 1971 Regan was asked to try out for the United States Olympic hockey team. He declined the invitation, so as not to lose his scholarship. He later noted that he felt if he had left school at that point he probably would not ever return. In 1972 a flu
epidemic
presented Regan with another opportunity to represent the United States at the 1972 Winter Olympics
. An exhibition game was scheduled between Team USA and Boston College (BC). Several members of the BC team had come down with the flu, and as a result, BC withdrew from the game and suggested that Team USA play BU instead. In the game Regan was terrific despite a 4–4 final score. The following day Team USA head coach Murray Williamson
asked Regan to join the team. He agreed on the condition that he was guaranteed a trip to Sapporo, Japan
, site of the Winter Games, and that if he was not playing he could return to BU should they need him. He played in 10 exhibition games with the National Team and traveled with them to Japan. When Team USA declared the roster for the Olympic tournament
Regan was left off, meaning he would not get an opportunity to play in the tournament. As a result, he was asked to return to BU after Brady twisted his knee. Before the games ended Regan returned to BU and led them to their second consecutive National Championship. Regan was named Most Outstanding Player of the 1972 NCAA championship. After the Olympics ended, teammate Robbie Ftorek
brought Regan's silver medal to him. He was awarded the medal for being part of Team USA, despite his early exit from the games. Upon giving him the medal, Ftorek told him, "You're part of the program, you're part of the team, and this is yours."
Regan was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres
in the seventh round, 84th overall, in the 1970 NHL Entry Draft. He played three years in the Sabres organization, primarily in the American Hockey league
. In 1993 he was inducted into the Boston University Hall of Fame.
After retiring from hockey, Regan worked in the lumber industry in his hometown of Cranston, Rhode Island
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional ice 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...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who played in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL), as well as with the Boston University Terriers (BU) and the United States National Team.
Playing for BU, Regan won two National Championships and set single season records for both goals against average
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
and save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
. As a member of Team USA he was awarded a silver medal in the 1972 Winter Olympics
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
. He received the medal despite leaving the team prior to the hockey tournament's
Ice hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics
At the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, Japan, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Games were held at the Makomanai Ice Arena and at the Tsukisamu Indoor Skating Rink.-Team USA:...
completion in order to return to BU.
Playing career
When Regan began his collegiate career at Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
freshmen
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
were not allowed to play on varsity teams. As a result Regan played for the Terriers' freshman team. In his freshman year he posted an 8–0 record and a 1.12 goals-against average (GAA) as the team went undefeated at 17–0. Joining the varsity team the following year, he and teammate Dan Brady formed one of college hockey's "all-time greatest goaltending tandems". During his sophomore season Regan posted a 2.82 GAA, ranking him second in the ECAC East division, as the Terriers finished third in the ECAC Championship. In the 1970–71 season, Regan's junior year, he set BU records for both GAA (1.77) and save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
(.929) which still stand. BU also won the National Championship
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
; however Regan was the backup during the championship run.
In August 1971 Regan was asked to try out for the United States Olympic hockey team. He declined the invitation, so as not to lose his scholarship. He later noted that he felt if he had left school at that point he probably would not ever return. In 1972 a flu
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
presented Regan with another opportunity to represent the United States at the 1972 Winter Olympics
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
. An exhibition game was scheduled between Team USA and Boston College (BC). Several members of the BC team had come down with the flu, and as a result, BC withdrew from the game and suggested that Team USA play BU instead. In the game Regan was terrific despite a 4–4 final score. The following day Team USA head coach Murray Williamson
Murray Williamson
Murray Williamson is a retired ice hockey player. Williamson played in the United States Hockey League with the St. Paul Steers and Rochester Mustangs. He would also coach the United States ice hockey team to a silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics...
asked Regan to join the team. He agreed on the condition that he was guaranteed a trip to Sapporo, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, site of the Winter Games, and that if he was not playing he could return to BU should they need him. He played in 10 exhibition games with the National Team and traveled with them to Japan. When Team USA declared the roster for the Olympic tournament
Ice hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics
At the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, Japan, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Games were held at the Makomanai Ice Arena and at the Tsukisamu Indoor Skating Rink.-Team USA:...
Regan was left off, meaning he would not get an opportunity to play in the tournament. As a result, he was asked to return to BU after Brady twisted his knee. Before the games ended Regan returned to BU and led them to their second consecutive National Championship. Regan was named Most Outstanding Player of the 1972 NCAA championship. After the Olympics ended, teammate Robbie Ftorek
Robbie Ftorek
Robert Brian Ftorek is a former NHL player and coach. He was enshrined as member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991...
brought Regan's silver medal to him. He was awarded the medal for being part of Team USA, despite his early exit from the games. Upon giving him the medal, Ftorek told him, "You're part of the program, you're part of the team, and this is yours."
Regan was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the seventh round, 84th overall, in the 1970 NHL Entry Draft. He played three years in the Sabres organization, primarily in the American Hockey league
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. In 1993 he was inducted into the Boston University Hall of Fame.
After retiring from hockey, Regan worked in the lumber industry in his hometown of Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
.