Robbie Ftorek

NHL coach and player, born and raised in Needham(Class of 1970)[14]

What is Robbie Ftorek known for?

Robbie Ftorek, a prominent alumnus of Needham High School, is an esteemed American ice hockey player and coach. Born in Needham, Massachusetts on January 2, 1952, Ftorek had a prominent playing career followed by an equally successful coaching career. During his years on the rink, he significantly contributed to the teams he was part of, namely the Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Roadrunners, Cincinnati Stingers, Quebec Nordiques, and New York Rangers.

He commenced his career with the Detroit Red Wings but also made notable impacts in the World Hockey Association (WHA), specifically with the Phoenix Roadrunners and Cincinnati Stingers. As a testament to his skills and influence in the game, Ftorek won the coveted Gordie Howe Trophy in 1977, making him the first American professional ice hockey player to be awarded league MV).

One of Ftorek's career highs was when he was part of the 1972 United States Olympic Hockey team that won a surprising silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics. He was also selected to the all-star team at the 1972 "Pool B" Ice Hockey World Championship. He played for Team USA again at the 1981 Canada Cup, further embellishing his credentials as one of the most accomplished American ice hockey players of his time.

Robbie Ftorek is remembered for his formidable statistics as a player. In his NHL career alone, he scored 77 goals, made 150 assists, attributed to 227 points, and received 262 penalty minutes in 334 games. Furthermore, his WHA career saw him score 216 goals, make 307 assists, earn 523 points, and get 365 penalty minutes in 373 games. With these stats, Ftorek ranks sixth on the WHA's all-time points list, and ninth in both the WHA's all-time career goal and assist leaders.

Following his illustrious playing career, Ftorek moved onto coaching, starting with the AHL's New Haven Nighthawks in 1985. His coaching career took him to the NHL when he became the head coach for the Los Angeles Kings from 1987 to 1989. He would later serve as an assistant coach for the Quebec Nordiques. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.