Ron Busniuk

Ronald Edward Busniuk (August 13, 1948 – March 8, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played six games in the National Hockey League, all with the Buffalo Sabres, during 1973 and 1974.^[1] Busniuk then moved to the WHA, playing a total of four full seasons with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, New England Whalers and Edmonton Oilers between 1974 and 1978. Before turning professional Busniuk played NCAA hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and was an All-American his senior year.^[2] After graduation, he played in the AHL with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs and the Cincinnati Swords. He was named to the AHL First All-Star Team.

Ron Busniuk
Born	(1948-08-13)August 13, 1948 Fort William, Ontario, Canada
Died	March 8, 2024(2024-03-08) (aged 75) Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Right
Played for	Buffalo Sabres Minnesota Fighting Saints New England Whalers Edmonton Oilers
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1970–1978

After retiring as a player, Busniuk became a coach. He led the Thunder Bay Twins Senior Hockey Team to two consecutive championships in the 1980s.^[2] He was later inducted into the Northern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame.^[2]

Ron Busniuk was the older brother of Mike Busniuk, who also played in the NHL. Ron Busniuk died in Thunder Bay on March 8, 2024, at the age of 75.^[3]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1964–65	Fort William Kings	TBAHA		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Fort William Canadiens	TBJHL		4	1	0	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	Fort William Canadiens	TBJHL		30	15	17	42	28		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Fort William Canadiens	M-Cup		—	—	—	—	—		16	9	11	20	41
1967–68	University of Minnesota-Duluth	WCHA		28	10	10	20	39		—	—	—	—	—
1968–69	University of Minnesota-Duluth	WCHA		29	7	20	27	16		—	—	—	—	—
1969–70	University of Minnesota-Duluth	WCHA		28	8	20	28	73		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	Montreal Voyageurs	AHL		59	11	9	20	136		3	0	1	1	10
1971–72	Nova Scotia Voyageurs	AHL		67	13	13	26	133		15	3	5	8	74
1972–73	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		1	0	0	0	9		—	—	—	—	—
1972–73	Cincinnati Swords	AHL		71	5	34	39	205		15	1	7	8	39
1973–74	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		5	0	3	3	4		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Cincinnati Swords	AHL		68	7	24	31	146		5	1	1	2	8
1974–75	Minnesota Fighting Saints	WHA		73	2	21	23	176		12	2	1	3	63
1975–76	Minnesota Fighting Saints	WHA		59	2	11	13	150		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	New England Whalers	WHA		11	0	3	3	55		17	0	2	2	14
1975–76	Nova Scotia Voyageurs	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	0	4
1976–77	New England Whalers	WHA		55	1	9	10	141		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Edmonton Oilers	WHA		29	2	2	4	83		5	0	2	2	37
1977–78	Edmonton Oilers	WHA		59	2	18	20	157		5	0	0	0	18
WHA totals				286	9	64	73	762		39	2	5	7	132
NHL totals				6	0	3	3	13		—	—	—	—	—

Awards and honours

Award	Year
All-WCHA First Team	1969–70
AHCA West All-American	1969–70