Born	September 29, 1947 (1947-09-29) (age 62), Emsdetten, Germany
Height Weight	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
Pro clubs	NHL New York Rangers AHL Buffalo Bisons
Pro career	1967 – 1981

Walter Robert Tkaczuk (born September 29, 1947, in Emsdetten, Germany but raised in Ontario, Canada) is a retired ice hockey centre who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers between 1967 and 1981. Tkaczuk's family moved to Canada when he was only two years old ^[1]

Tkaczuk centered the "Bulldog Line" with Bill Fairbairn and Dave Balon, who was later replaced by Steve Vickers.^[2] He could score his fair share of goals, however he was much better at producing assists. Tkaczuk's finest contribution to the game was that of the defensive forward, being among the NHL's elite shadows and faceoff men. This complemented the Ranger's high-scoring GAG line of Jean Ratelle, Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield.

In the 1972 playoffs, despite Ratelle sidelined with a broken ankle and Gilbert hampered with injuries, Tkaczuk played a key role as the Rangers defeated the defending champions Montreal Canadiens, and the previous season's finalists Chicago Black Hawks, to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. While the Rangers lost to the Boston Bruins in six games, Tkaczuk earned much respect for holding the Bruins' Phil Esposito without a goal in the series. He was then invited to Team Canada's training camp for the 1972 Summit Series but turned down the invitation (Bobby Clarke replaced him instead) ^[3]

In the 1979 postseason, Tkaczuk was a key contributor as the Rangers upset the first place New York Islanders to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, where they fell to Montreal in five games.

A serious eye injury ended Tkaczuk's career half way through the 1980-81 season. Tkaczuk played 945 career NHL games, scoring 227 goals and 451 assists for 678 points. Despite his physical presence, he only accumulated 556 minutes in penalties.

Tkaczuk is co-owner of River Valley Golf Course and Tube Slide in St. Marys, Ontario.

In 2009, Tkaczuk was ranked No. 14 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & Sons).

[edit] Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1963–64	Kitchener Rangers	OHA		21	5	5	10	0		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Kitchener Rangers	OHA		7	1	2	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	Kitchener Rangers	OHA		47	12	31	43	39		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Kitchener Rangers	OHA		48	23	47	70	85		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Omaha Knights	CPHL		—	—	—	—	—		3	2	0	2	2
1967–68	Kitchener Rangers	OHA		52	37	56	93	81		—	—	—	—	—
1967–68	New York Rangers	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1968–69	Buffalo Bisons	AHL		5	2	7	9	9		—	—	—	—	—
1968–69	New York Rangers	NHL		71	12	24	36	28		4	0	1	1	6
1969–70	New York Rangers	NHL		76	27	50	77	38		6	2	1	3	17
1970–71	New York Rangers	NHL		77	26	49	75	48		13	1	5	6	14
1971–72	New York Rangers	NHL		76	24	42	66	65		16	4	6	10	35
1972–73	New York Rangers	NHL		76	27	39	66	59		10	7	2	9	8
1973–74	New York Rangers	NHL		71	21	42	63	58		13	0	5	5	22
1974–75	New York Rangers	NHL		62	11	25	36	34		3	1	2	3	5
1975–76	New York Rangers	NHL		78	8	28	36	56		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	New York Rangers	NHL		80	12	38	50	38		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	New York Rangers	NHL		80	26	40	66	30		3	0	2	2	0
1978–79	New York Rangers	NHL		77	15	27	42	38		18	4	7	11	10
1979–80	New York Rangers	NHL		76	12	25	37	36		7	0	1	1	2
1980–81	New York Rangers	NHL		43	6	22	28	28		—	—	—	—	—
15 seasons	NHL totals			945	227	451	678	556		93	19	32	51	119

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Walt Tkaczuk's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• rivervalleygolfandtube.com

Sporting positions
Preceded by Dave Maloney	New York Rangers captains 1980–81	Succeeded by Barry Beck