Move over Brett Hull, Keith "Huffer" Christiansen and
Bill Watson because this Friday night you're going to have some company.
In a special pre-game ceremony (6:45 p.m.) prior to the start of its series with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, the University of Minnesota Duluth will officially retire Glenn "Chico" Resch's No. 1 jersey, making the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame charter member the fourth Bulldog male in any sport to be so recognized. He'll join Hull (whose No. 29 was retired on Feb. 3, 2006), Christiansen (No. 9 on Jan. 30, 1988) and Watson (No. 14 on Oct. 24, 2014) in that exclusive club.
"We congratulate "Chico" on this prestigious and well-deserved honor," said UMD athletic director
Josh Berlo. "Not only did he enjoy prosperous playing career both here and in the National Hockey League, but he's always been an outstanding ambassador for UMD and Bulldog hockey."
A three-year fixture in goal for the Bulldogs, Resch was selected to the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association second team as a senior team captain in 1970-71. He exited the Bulldog program ranking among the top three leaders in virtually every career and single-season statistical category for UMD goaltenders. The recipient of UMD's Outstanding Senior Athlete Award for 1970-71, Resch went on to spend 14 years in the NHL with the New York Islanders (1973-81), Colorado Rockies (1981-82), New Jersey Devils (1982-86) and Philadelphia Flyers (1986) before retiring in 1986 at the age of 37. He became the first ex-Bulldog to take part in an NHL All-Star Game, doing so in 1976, 1977 and 1983 and patrolled the crease for 1979-80 Stanley Cup champion N.Y. Islanders. In addition, Resch received the NHL's Bill Masterson Award in 1981-82 for his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey and was the runnerup in the Vezina Trophy (NHL's top goaltender) balloting on three occasions (1976, 1977, and 1979). In all, he played in 571 NHL games, and posted 231 victories -- the 35th most in league history. During his time with the Islanders, Resch went 157-69-47 in 282 outings and posted 25 shutouts, which remains a franchise record. After retiring, he served as the goaltender coach for the Philadelphia Flyers in 1987-88 and embarked on a broadcasting career that same season -- as the color commentator on Minnesota North Star telecasts. He also was part of the on-air talent team for UMD hockey (KBJR-TV) for three years (1987-90) before returning to the coaching ranks as Minnesota North Stars' goaltending coach and scout in 1990-91. The following season, Resch was appointed the general manager and coach of the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans and from 1992-96 worked in the NHL's Ottawa Senators organization as a goaltending coach and scout, which included some time on the bench during the 1995-96 season. He returned to the television booth permanently in 1996 and, for the next 18 seasons, was the lead analyst for the New Jersey Devils on MSG+ and FSN New York.
The Regina, Saskatchewan, native is the only goaltender to ever represent two different countries at the Canada Cup. In 1976, he was a member of Canadian entrant and eight years later he suited up for the United States. He also played for the U.S. at the 1982 International Ice Hockey Federation Championships in Finland in 1982.
Resch, one of 12 individuals inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame's inaugural class back in 1991, now makes his home in Emily, Minn.
"The world for me changed during my time at UMD," said Resch. "It was a launching point for me -- both personally and professionally. I met my wife (Diane) there and everything I was able to accomplish after that in hockey and in broadcasting I owe to those four years."
For tickets Friday's clash with the No. 7 River Hawks, call the UMD Ticket Office at 218-726-8595.
