Graeme Townshend

Graeme Townshend
Born (1965-10-23) October 23, 1965
Kingston, Jamaica
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
Played for Houston Aeros (IHL)
Utah Grizzlies (IHL)
Minnesota Moose (IHL)
Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Prince Edward Island Senators (AHL)
New York Islanders (NHL)
Capital District Islanders (AHL)
Boston Bruins (NHL)
Maine Mariners (AHL)
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1989–1999

Graeme Scott Townshend (born October 23, 1965 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a retired Canadian ice hockey right winger. He became the first Jamaican-born player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Career

Townshend started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins. He also played with the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. His NHL career lasted from 1990 to 1994.

He played in the American Hockey League for the Maine Mariners, Capital District Islanders, and Prince Edward Island Senators. Townshend also played in the International Hockey League with the Houston Aeros, Minnesota Moose, and Utah Grizzlies and in the Western Professional Hockey League for the Lake Charles Ice Pirates. His professional playing career lasted for 10 seasons. Graeme was distinguished by the International Hockey League and the Western Professional Hockey League as the Man of The Year for his leadership on and off the ice and for his contributions to his community.

After his retirement, Townshend coached professional hockey for the Macon Whoopee of the Central Hockey League and the Greensboro Generals of the ECHL.

Prior to turning pro, Townshend played four seasons at RPI in ECAC Hockey, serving as a team captain during 1987–1988 season. He also played for the Mimico Monarchs of the Central Junior "B" Hockey League.

For 4 years, he served as the Player Development Coordinator for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks (one of only 3 in the NHL). His primary responsibility was to prepare all Sharks players and prospects with the skills required for the “new” NHL, most notably, enhancing their skating skills.[1]

On September 9, 2008, he was hired as the Skating Coach for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.[1] He held the position until the end of the 2012 season.

In December 2011, Townshend was approached by E.J. Phillips, the co-founder of the Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation (JOIHF) and asked to serve as its first head coach.[2] As head coach, he organized the first player identification and tryout camp for the new organization in August 2014.[3] Townshend continues to be head coach of the Jamaican national team, with aspirations of making it to the Winter Olympics.

Townshend was inducted into the Canadian Black Hockey Hall of Fame.

Personal life

In 1969, Townshend emigrated to Toronto, Ontario with his younger brother Kurt. His sister, Laurie, was born in Toronto. He also adopted a son named Carson.

References

  1. 1 2 "Maple Leafs Add Townshend to Staff". ECAC Hockey. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Saco man pursues dream of Olympic hockey team for Jamaica". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Hockey players lace up for a shot at Team Jamaica". Toronto Star Newspaper. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
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