Eric Nesterenko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eric Nesterenko |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) |
|||
| Born | October 31, 1933 Flin Flon, MB, CAN |
||
| Died | June 6, 2022 (aged 88) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Played for | Toronto Maple Leafs Chicago Black Hawks |
||
| Playing career | 1951–1974 | ||
Eric "Sonja" Nesterenko (born October 31, 1933 – died June 6, 2022) was a talented Canadian ice hockey player. He played as a centre for many years. Eric spent 21 seasons playing in the NHL, which is a very long time!
He played for two famous teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Black Hawks. Eric even won the amazing Stanley Cup with the Black Hawks in the 1960-61 season. After his hockey career, he had many interesting jobs.
Who Was Eric Nesterenko?
Eric Nesterenko was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. He was born on October 31, 1933. From a young age, Eric loved playing ice hockey. He grew up to be 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 186 pounds. This made him a strong player on the ice.
He started his professional hockey journey in 1951. Eric played as a centre, which is a key position. Centres play in the middle of the ice. They help both with scoring goals and defending their own net.
Playing in the NHL
Eric Nesterenko began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played with them for five seasons. After that, he moved to the Chicago Black Hawks. He spent a much longer time there, playing for 16 seasons. This shows how important he was to the team.
One of Eric's biggest achievements was winning the Stanley Cup in the 1960-61 season. The Stanley Cup is the most important trophy in professional ice hockey. Winning it means your team is the champion of the NHL. It's a huge honor for any hockey player.
Eric also played for the Chicago Cougars. This was in the World Hockey Association during the 1973–74 season. He even coached a team in Switzerland for a year.
Life After Hockey
After retiring from professional hockey in 1971, Eric Nesterenko didn't stop being busy. He had many different and interesting jobs. He worked as a disc jockey, playing music for people. He was also a stockbroker, helping people buy and sell stocks.
Eric also worked as a travel broker, helping people plan their trips. He was a freelance writer, writing articles and stories. He even became a university professor, sharing his knowledge with students. And, he taught people how to ski as a ski instructor.
Eric Nesterenko also appeared in a movie! He acted in the film Youngblood. In the movie, he played the father of the main character, Dean Youngblood. Dean Youngblood was played by actor Rob Lowe.
Later Years
Eric Nesterenko lived a long and full life. He passed away on June 6, 2022. He was 88 years old. Eric will always be remembered as a dedicated hockey player and a person who tried many different things in life.
