Tim Breslin
Tim Breslin | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born |
Downers Grove, Illinois | December 8, 1967|||||
Died |
February 9, 2005 St. Charles, Illinois | (aged 37)|||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | |||||
Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | |||||
Position | Left Wing | |||||
Shot | Left | |||||
Played for |
NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||||
Playing career | 1991–1999 |
Timothy G. Breslin[1] (December 8, 1967 – February 9, 2005) was an American professional ice hockey left wing. Breslin played eight seasons in the International Hockey League (IHL) with the Phoenix Roadrunners and Chicago Wolves and part of a season in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays. He also played major league roller hockey in Roller Hockey International (RHI) with the Chicago Cheetahs.
Breslin attended
Late in 2004 Breslin was diagnosed with cancer and died 11 weeks later on February 9, 2005, due to complications from
Early life
Tim was born in Downers Grove, Illinois on December 8, 1967, to James and Kathleen Breslin.[2][3] He was one of six children, having three sisters and two brothers. Breslin grew up in Addison, Illinois where he began playing hockey at age five.[3] He learned the game while playing with his brothers on a frozen pond near the family home and on a backyard rink his father made.[4] As he got older Breslin played in local leagues and Driscoll Catholic High School's club team, which afforded him the opportunity to join the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League.[3][5]
Playing career
Amateur
Breslin joined the Fighting Saints for his high school senior year and played an additional season after graduation.
In his senior season Breslin was named one of the team's
Professional
Undrafted out of college, Breslin signed with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent.[6] He attended Kings training camp, where he played with his professional hockey hero, Wayne Gretzky.[20] Breslin failed to make the team and Los Angeles assigned him to their International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate the Phoenix Roadrunners.[4][6] In his first season with Phoenix, Breslin broke his arm early in the season. He returned to play just three weeks after the injury, but eventually re-broke the arm and missed the remainder of the season.[5] He finished his first professional season playing in 45 games, scoring 8 goals and 29 points.[7] In the 1992–93 season Breslin improved his production to 14 goals and a career-high 44 points.[7] Phoenix finished the season with a league-low 26 wins and 58 points.[21] He began his third professional season with the Roadrunners, but after five games he was reassigned to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. Breslin played nine games for the Stingrays, registering six points, before being recalled by Phoenix.[22] Finishing the year with the Roadrunners, he registered 9 goals and 27 points in 50 games.[7] Phoenix improved to 85 points but failed to make the playoffs for the third straight year.[23] At the conclusion of the season, Breslin's contract with the Kings expired.[5]
In the summer Breslin joined the Chicago Cheetahs of the Roller Hockey International (RHI) league for the 1994 season. Playing in just 6 games, Breslin recorded 5 goals and 13 points.[24] Prior to the start of the 1994–95 IHL season, Breslin signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Wolves. He was one of the first three players signed by the Wolves who began their first season as an IHL expansion team.[6][25][26] In his first season with the Wolves, Breslin notched 7 goals and 28 points.[7] Chicago finished with 80 points—good enough for third in their division and to qualify for the playoffs.[27] Facing the Kalamazoo Wings in the first round, Chicago was swept in three straight games.[28] Playing in his first professional playoffs, Breslin contributed two points playing in all three games.[7] In the off-season Breslin negotiated his own contract to stay in Chicago, signing a two-year deal.[6] Over the next two seasons, Breslin averaged 56 games played a season due to knee and shoulder injuries.[7][29][30] As a team the Wolves qualified for the playoffs in both seasons but failed to advance beyond the second round.[31][32] At the conclusion of the 1996–97 season, Breslin was awarded the I. John Snider trophy as IHL Man of the Year, an award given to recognize outstanding community service.[33]
In the off-season Breslin again re-signed with the Wolves.[34] Chicago also brought in John Anderson to be the team's new head coach.[35] Under Anderson, Breslin had posted a career high in assists with 26 and games played with 81.[7] Chicago won the West division and finished with the second-best record in the league.[36] In the postseason the Wolves stormed through the first three rounds, losing only four games, to advance to the 1998 Turner Cup Finals.[37] In game 1 of the finals against the Detroit Vipers, Chicago blew a two-goal lead early in the third period. They regained the lead with just over eight minutes to play. In the final minutes of the game, Breslin added an insurance empty net goal giving the Wolves a 4–2 victory.[38] It was Breslin's only goal of the playoffs.[7] The series eventually went to a seventh and deciding game that the Wolves won 3–0 to capture the franchise's first Turner Cup.[39] For the 1998–99 season Breslin's production dipped to 7 goals and 21 points.[7] The Wolves advanced to the third round the playoffs, but Breslin played in only 4 of the team's 10 games.[7][40] On the first day of training camp the following year, Breslin announced his retirement from professional hockey.[41]
Playing style
Listed as a
Personal
Breslin married Jami Rutili, and the couple had three children, Shane, Paige, and Chase.[4] He earned a degree in recreation management while at Lake Superior State.[6] During his career, Breslin was involved in numerous charities. He delivered food on Thanksgiving for the Chris Zorich Foundation; conducted self-esteem workshops for an anti-drug, anti-gang organization; participated in the Wolves' Read to Succeed program, in which he read to children at local libraries; and several others. In a 1997 interview, Breslin said that the most special charity he helped was one started by him and his wife. The Extra Effort program was started at Indian Trail Junior High School in Addison, where Jami was a teacher. Each month the program gave both a male and a female student four tickets to a Wolves game and a gift bag. The students were chosen based on attitude, effort and attendance.[45] After retiring from professional hockey, he coached youth hockey and helped manage an Irish pub.[4]
Death and legacy
After complaining of stomach pains for several days, Breslin was taken to a hospital on Thanksgiving of 2004. There he was diagnosed with
The
Career statistics
Regular season
|
Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
1987–88 | Lake Superior State University | CCHA | 38 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1988–89 | Lake Superior State University | CCHA | 42 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1989–90 | Lake Superior State University | CCHA | 46 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1989–90 | Lake Superior State University | CCHA | 45 | 25 | 37 | 62 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1991–92 | Phoenix Roadrunners | IHL | 45 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1992–93 | Phoenix Roadrunners | IHL | 79 | 14 | 30 | 44 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1993–94 | Phoenix Roadrunners | IHL | 50 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1993–94 | South Carolina Stingrays | ECHL | 9 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1994 | Chicago Cheetahs | RHI | 6 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1994–95 | Chicago Wolves | IHL | 71 | 7 | 21 | 28 | 62 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
1995–96 | Chicago Wolves | IHL | 62 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 56 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | ||
1996–97 | Chicago Wolves | IHL | 44 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
1997–98 | Chicago Wolves | IHL | 81 | 10 | 26 | 36 | 90 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 22 | ||
1998–99 | Chicago Wolves | IHL | 72 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 72 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
IHL totals | 504 | 68 | 151 | 219 | 394 | 41 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 42 |
References
- ^ "Timothy G. Breslin Obituary". Chicago Tribune. 2005-02-13. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ "Tim Breslin player card". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ a b c d Thomas, Monifa (2005-02-17). "Tim Breslin, 37, Chicago Wolves hockey player". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ a b c d e f Gruley, Bryan (2005-12-10). "A Different Kind Of Star Athlete: In a year of scandal, a reminder of why we root". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ a b c d Mandernach, Mark (1997-12-21). "Ice Guy: The Chicago Wolves' Tim Breslin Gets High Marks For Serving The Community – page 2". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ a b c d e f Ziehm, Len (1995-12-10). "No Place Like Home for Wolves' Breslin". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Tim Breslin Career Statistics". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1987–88 NCAA – Central Collegiate Hockey Assn. – Div. 1 Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1988 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "Lake Superior St. Wins NCAA". The Washington Post. 1988-04-03. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1988–89 NCAA – Central Collegiate Hockey Assn. – Div. 1 Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1989 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1989–90 NCAA – Central Collegiate Hockey Assn. – Div. 1 Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1990 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "Lakers Grieve Tim Breslin's Passing". CBS Sports Network. 2005-02-10. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ Leitner, Jim (2005-02-15). "More Than the Score; Cancer claims life of former Fighting Saints forward". Telegraph Herald. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ "Lakers individual records". Lake Superior State University. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1990–91 NCAA – Central Collegiate Hockey Assn. – Div. 1 Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "1991 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
- Daily Herald.
- ^ "1992–93 International Hockey League Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ Namm, Keith (1993-12-07). "Stingrays Face Tough Road Test". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ "Phoenix Roadrunners Statistics and History". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ "1993–94 Chicago Cheetahs roster and statistics". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ a b c "Tim Breslin Scholarship and Awards". Chicago Wolves. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ Smith, William (1995-10-06). "Upstart Wolves Skate a Fine Line as Second Season Starts". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
- ^ "1994–95 International Hockey League Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ "1994–95 IHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- Daily Herald.
- Daily Herald.
- ^ "1995–96 IHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- ^ "1996–97 IHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- Daily Herald. Archived from the originalon 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- ^ Daily Herald. Archived from the originalon 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- Daily Herald.
- ^ "1997–98 International Hockey League Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- ^ "1997–98 IHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- Daily Herald.
- Daily Herald.
- ^ "1998–99 IHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- Daily Herald. Archived from the originalon 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- ^ Daily Herald.
- ^ "Hawks rely on shutdown unit to stifle Sharks". Chicago Blackhawks. 2010-05-15. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- ^ "Wolves to Present Fahey with Unsung Hero Award". Chicago Wolves. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ Mandernach, Mark (1997-12-21). "Ice Guy: The Chicago Wolves' Tim Breslin Gets High Marks For Serving The Community – page 1". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ Demitropoulos, Betsy (2011-12-30). "Keeping Life in Check". Kane County Magazine. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ a b "Wolves announce plans for Breslin Cup". American Hockey League. 2005-05-05. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ Ziehm, Len (2005-06-01). "Breslin Cup to benefit family of late player". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ Jones, Jennifer (2005-06-11). "Former Hawks, Wolves play benefit to honor cancer victim Tim Breslin". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ "Knights' big finish buries Wolves". Chicago Sun-Times. 2005-12-04. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ "Tim Breslin Memorial scholarship: Presented by the Chicago Wolves Professional Hockey Team" (PDF). Chicago Wolves. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
- ^ "Levin, Nardella, Breslin Enshrined By Illinois Hockey Hall Of Fame". Chicago Wolves. 2012-09-21. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database