Bronco Horvath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bronco Horvath |
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| Born | March 12, 1930 Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | December 17, 2019 (aged 89) Hyannis, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins Chicago Black Hawks Toronto Maple Leafs Minnesota North Stars |
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| Playing career | 1949–1970 | ||
Bronco Joseph Horvath (born March 12, 1930 – died December 17, 2019) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played 434 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1955 and 1968. Bronco was known for his strong play and scoring ability.
Early Life and Beginnings
Bronco Horvath was born in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. His family came from a region called Transcarpathia after World War I. He started his hockey journey early. The Detroit Red Wings signed him as a young amateur player.
Hockey Career Highlights
Bronco Horvath is best known for his time with the Boston Bruins. He played on a famous line called the "Uke Line." His linemates were Johnny Bucyk and Vic Stasiuk. All three players had Ukrainian-Canadian backgrounds.
In the 1959–60 season, Bronco had an amazing year. He almost won the Art Ross Trophy, which is given to the player with the most points. He missed it by just one point! However, he tied with Bobby Hull for the most goals scored that season, with 39 goals.
Bronco played for many different teams during his career. He played for five of the six "Original Six" NHL teams. These were the first six teams in the league. He played for the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The only "Original Six" team he didn't play for was Detroit.
After his time in the NHL, Bronco played in the American Hockey League (AHL). He spent many seasons with the Rochester Americans. He was a key player for them. He helped the Rochester Americans win the Calder Cup three times. These championships were in 1965, 1966, and 1968. He was one of the top scorers in the AHL during these years.
When the NHL expanded in 1967, Bronco got another chance to play in the big league. He joined the Minnesota North Stars. He later returned to Rochester to finish his playing career in 1970. Bronco Horvath is a special member of the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of their greatest players.
After Playing Hockey
After retiring as a player, Bronco became a coach. He coached the London Knights in 1971–72. He also coached the Cape Cod Cubs in the Eastern Hockey League. He led the Cubs to a division championship in his first year. His last coaching job was for a high school team. Bronco lived on Cape Cod and enjoyed playing golf.
In 2015, Bronco Horvath was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame. This honor recognized his great career in the American Hockey League. He passed away on December 17, 2019, in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
