Shot Left Role Ice hockey player Career end 1978 Name Fran Huck Career start 1969 | Playing career Weight 75 kg Height 1.70 m Position Centerman | |
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Played for Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets | ||
Anthony Francis Huck (born December 4, 1945 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is a retired ice hockey player. While Fran Huck played professionally in both the NHL and WHA his greatest contributions may have been representing Canada with the National Team program during years before NHL professionals were allowed to compete internationally. His tenure culminated at the 1968 Winter Olympics where he helped the team with the Bronze. In 1999, Huck was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.
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Amateur career
Fran Huck excelled as a junior with the Regina Pats. His achievements included winning the scoring title, making the Allstar team and being named league MVP. After junior hockey, Huck made the decision, shocking to many hockey people, to join the Canadian National team instead of the NHL. At the time the national team program, run by Father David Bauer, afforded hockey players the alternative of pursuing higher education while still playing hockey. Huck wanted to study law. He was with the national team from 1965 to 1969 winning a bronze medal for the 1968 Olympics and also bronze for the IIHF World Championships in 1966 and 1967.
Professional career
After his time with the National team, Huck began his professional career, briefly, with the Montreal Canadiens, then playing two seasons with the NHL St. Louis Blues and with Denver of the WHL. He then moved over to the WHA and played with the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Fighting Saints. In all, Huck played three seasons in the NHL and five in the WHA. He retired after the 1977-78 season.
Personal life and post-hockey career
Huck graduated from the University of Manitoba with a law degree in 1970. Today he is a practicing lawyer in British Columbia. He is also senior partner in a firm which specializes in helping former athletes make the transition to life after their sporting career.
Honours and awards
Named to First Allstar Team 1966 and 1968 IIHF World Championships.
Inducted International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1999.
Most valuable player award 1971-72 WHL
Inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of fame in 2006.