Ron Busniuk

Ron Busniuk
Born (1948-08-13)August 13, 1948
Died March 8, 2024(2024-03-08) (aged 75)
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Minnesota Fighting Saints
New England Whalers
Edmonton Oilers
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 1970–1978

Ronald Edward Busniuk (August 13, 1948 – March 8, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played six games in the National Hockey League, all with the Buffalo Sabres, during 1973 and 1974. Busniuk then moved to the WHA, playing a total of four full seasons with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, New England Whalers and Edmonton Oilers between 1974 and 1978. Before turning professional Busniuk played NCAA hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and was an All-American his senior year. After graduation, he played in the AHL with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs and the Cincinnati Swords. He was named to the AHL First All-Star Team.

After retiring as a player, Busniuk became a coach. He led the Thunder Bay Twins Senior Hockey Team to two consecutive championships in the 1980s. He was later inducted into the Northern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ron Busniuk was the older brother of Mike Busniuk, who also played in the NHL. Ron Busniuk died in Thunder Bay on March 8, 2024, at the age of 75.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1964–65 Fort William Kings TBAHA ————— —————
1964–65 Fort William Canadiens TBJHL 41010 —————
1965–66 Fort William Canadiens TBJHL 3015174228 —————
1966–67 Fort William Canadiens M-Cup ————— 169112041
1967–68 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 2810102039 —————
1968–69 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 297202716 —————
1969–70 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 288202873 —————
1970–71 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 5911920136 301110
1971–72 Nova Scotia Voyageurs AHL 67131326133 1535874
1972–73 Buffalo Sabres NHL 10009 —————
1972–73 Cincinnati Swords AHL 7153439205 1517839
1973–74 Buffalo Sabres NHL 50334 —————
1973–74 Cincinnati Swords AHL 6872431146 51128
1974–75 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 7322123176 1221363
1975–76 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 5921113150 —————
1975–76 New England Whalers WHA 1103355 1702214
1975–76 Nova Scotia Voyageurs AHL ————— 10004
1976–77 New England Whalers WHA 551910141 —————
1976–77 Edmonton Oilers WHA 2922483 502237
1977–78 Edmonton Oilers WHA 5921820157 500018
WHA totals 28696473762 39257132
NHL totals 603313 —————

Awards and honours

Award Year
All-WCHA First Team 1969–70
AHCA West All-American 1969–70

References

  1. ↑ "Ron Busniuk". Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association. Archived from the original on 2006-12-30. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ron Busniuk". Legends of the Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  3. ↑ Ronald Businiuk obituary