Terry W. "Rosco" Ruskowski (born 31 December, 1954, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) is a former National Hockey League centre, who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars. Previously, he played for the Houston Aeros of the WHA.

Ruskowski's leadership on the ice was recognized with his tenure as captain of the Aeros, Blackhawks, Kings, and Penguins, the only player in major professional history to captain four different clubs. In 2001, he was named the head coach of the Laredo Bucks in Laredo, Texas, a part of the Central Hockey League. On March 18, 2009, Ruskowski secured is 500th coaching win, as the Bucks defeated the Texas Brahmas of Fort Worth, 4-3, in the Southern Conference playoffs.^[1]

He is married and has two daughters.

In 2007, Ruskowski entered the final year of a four-year contract extension with the Bucks. Ruskowski told the Laredo Morning Times that his tenure was in the hands of Bucks chairman Glenn Hart, owner Julian "Kiki" DeAyala, and team president John Beckelhymer and that he had "full faith" that he will obtain his third contract with the club. Ruskowski's optimism paid off, for he was shortly thereafter given a "lifetime contract" as the Bucks' coach.

Ruskowski has become a well-known figure in the Laredo community. A giant poster featuring the coach plastered on city buses advertises Doctor's Hospital in Laredo.

Ruskowski has led the Bucks to the postseason in all seven of his years as head coach. The team won President Cup championships in 2004 and 2006 and four consecutive Southern Conference titles. Ruskowski has compiled a 209–78–28 overall record in Laredo and was the CHL "Coach of the Year" during the 2005-2006 season.^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Draft Central
• Terry Ruskowski's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

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