Dick Roberge

Dick Roberge (born April 7, 1934) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey forward and coach. He currently holds the record for most minor-leagues goal scored with 752 goals. He is thought to be the inspiration behind Paul Newman's character, Reggie Dunlop, in the movie Slap Shot and appears in the film in an uncredited role as a referee.[1][2]

Dick Roberge
Born (1934-04-07) April 7, 1934
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
Played for Johnstown Jets
New Westminster Royals
Pittsburgh Hornets
National team  United States
NHL Draft undrafted
Playing career 1954–1972

Playing career

Roberge spent the majority of his career with the Johnstown Jets, joining the team at the start of the 1954-55 IHL season. He stayed with the Jets until the completion of the 1955-56 season where he would lead the league in goals scored (64) and points (118) before spending a season with the New Westminster Royals of the Western Hockey League. After playing three games with the Royals, Roberge returned to the Jets for the 1957-58 season. Roberge would lead the Jets with 37 goals but finished second in EHL scoring that season, finishing only one point behind linemate Don Hall and nine points behind Ken Coombes.

With the exception of a one-game call-up with the Pittsburgh Hornets during the 1962-63 season, Roberge remained with the Jets until his retirement after the 1971-72 EHL season. Roberge would finish his career with 1232 minor league games played, which is currently the 9th highest all-time total[3]

Despite being born in Canada, Roberge spent a season on the U.S. National Team in 1965-66[4]

Roberge would later have his #11 retired by the Johnstown Chiefs during the 1990-91 season.[5]

Coaching career

Roberge spent several years with the Jets as a player-coach, but eventually asked to relinquish his responsibilities as coach on so he could focus on playing hockey. On July 22, 1971, GM John Mitchell granted a release to Roberge from coaching the Jets[6]

He eventually returned to the team as a full-time coach during the 1974-75 season where he would lead the team to the Lockhart Cup as winners of the NAHL playoffs.[7]

Roberge would return again to Johnstown to coach the Johnstown Wings but was not nearly as successful, finishing 25-42-3.

Awards and accomplishments

Eastern Hockey League
  • Most goals scored, single season: 1955-56 (64); 1960–61 (56)
  • Most points scored, single season: 1955-56 (118); 1960–61 (116); 1964-65 (139);
  • Winner, Boardwalk Trophy: 1959-60; 1960–61; 1961–62

North American Hockey League
  • Winner, Lockhart Cup (1974–75, as coach)

Acting career

Roberge had a brief cameo in the movie Slap Shot, which was filmed in Johnstown. He appears in the film as referee Ecker, who throws the Hanson Brothers out of a game.[8]

References
  1. Jackson, Johnathan (September 24, 2010). The Making of Slap Shot: Behind the Scenes of the Greatest Hockey Movie Ever Made. Wiley. p. 127. ISBN 9780470678008. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  2. Jackson, Johnathan (September 24, 2010). The Making of Slap Shot: Behind the Scenes of the Greatest Hockey Movie Ever Made. Wiley. p. 75. ISBN 9780470678008. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  3. Blake Sebring (January 11, 2011). "Tailing The Komets: Coverage of the Central Hockey League's Fort Wayne Komets". News-Sentinel.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  4. HockeyDB.com: Dick Roberge player profile page
  5. Mike Mastovich (October 12, 2003). "No. 8 joining Johnstown's elite". Tribune-Democrat.com. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  6. "This Week in EHL History - July 20–27". theEHL.com. July 30, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  7. "Jets History". JohnstownJets.net. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  8. Jackson, Johnathan (September 24, 2010). The Making of Slap Shot: Behind the Scenes of the Greatest Hockey Movie Ever Made. Wiley. p. 127. ISBN 9780470678008. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
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