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Amerks to induct John Bednarski into Hall of Fame

March 1, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans announced today that John Bednarski will become the 42nd member of the Amerks Hall of Fame on Sunday, March 25th at The Blue Cross Arena. Bednarski goes into the Amerks' Hall of Fame for his role as a defenseman, color commentator and humanitarian. The Thunder Bay, Ontario, native played in two seasons with the Amerks (1972-73, 1980-81), served as Amerks color commentator (radio and TV analyst) 20 years (1985-2005) and helped establish the Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament and Amerks at Your Service Dinner.

"I am very, very honored, especially being in there with the greats of the Amerks' organization both on and off the ice," said Bednarski.

During his playing days, Bednarski was a four-time American Hockey League All-Star, spending time in Rochester, New Haven, Adirondack, Providence and Erie. He played in 704 professional games and collected 104 goals, 339 assists and 1,397 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 100 National Hockey League games, spending 99 of them with the New York Rangers.

His career began in the Western Canada Hockey League with the Winnipeg Jets from 1970-71 to 1971-72. After playing 68 games in two seasons of junior hockey, he began his professional career in Rochester in 1972-73.

In his first season, he was part of one of the most memorable teams in franchise history. During the 1972-73 campaign, the independent Amerks and Head Coach Don Cherry restored winning hockey to Rochester. The Amerks, competing with a collection of castoffs and hard-working players, finished in third place in the Eastern Division and returned to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. The Amerks fell in six games to Boston with Bednarski collecting nine points (1+8) in six postseason games. During his two seasons with the Amerks, he scored 17 goals and added 42 assists for a total of 59 points in 148 games.

He spent the next two seasons (1973-74 and 1974-75) with the Providence Reds. In 1973-74 he led a league in penalty minutes with 222 was named a Second Team All-Star in 1973-74. After five straight seasons in the AHL, he finally got the call to the NHL with the New York Rangers. He spent three seasons with the Rangers from 1974-1977. In 1975-76, he played in a career NHL best 59 games.

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Bednarski returned to the AHL for the next three seasons with the New Haven Nighthawks. He earned two First Team selections (1976-77 and 1978-79) and one Second Team nod (1977-78) while with the Nighthawks. He recorded 50 or more points in all three seasons in New Haven.

He spent his final three seasons of professional hockey in the AHL with teams in Adirondack, Erie and Rochester. He also played one game for the Edmonton Oilers in 1979-80 and played in 28 games with the Cincinnati Stingers of the Central Hockey League. In 1980-81, he returned to Rochester and played in 76 games, recording three goals, 18 assists and 156 penalty minutes.

Now he will return as the 42nd member of the Amerks Hall of Fame and 10th defenseman enshrined. He joins fellow blue liners Don McSween, Al Arbour, Darryl Sly, Don Cherry, Duane Rupp, Steve Kraftcheck, Jim Hofford, John Van Boxmeer and Dave Fenyves.

After retiring from hockey in 1982, he remained close to the Amerks' organization. In 1985, he became the color commentator for the Rochester Americans and spent most of his days next to broadcaster Don Stevens. Bednarski would spin yarns about the old days of hockey and banter with Stevens to the delight of thousands of fans listening on radio, TV and online.

Bednarski was also instrumental away from the rink, helping maintain the Amerks Alumni Association and also serving as its president for many years. The golf tournament, which he founded with former Amerks owner Ken Bonn, continues to this day and enters its 20th year in 2007. He also assisted Bonn in founding the Cystic Fibrosis Amerks' At Your Service Dinner. This season, the 17th annual event raised over $53,000. Since its inception, the dinner has brought in over $500,000 for CF research.

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