Bob Whidden
Robert J. "Bob" Whidden (born July 24, 1946) is a former professional ice hockey player and successful high school ice hockey coach. He played goaltender. He was born in Sudbury, Ontario and was involved in ice hockey in various capacities for over 50 years.
Juniors
During his junior career, he played with the famed Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). In 1967, he was a member of the Marlboros team that won the J. Ross Robertson Cup (OHA title) and Memorial Cup (Canadian Major Junior championship).[1]
Professional career
He played four years with the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association where he was a back-up for the legendary Gerry Cheevers. In addition, he played with the Rochester Americans and Baltimore Clippers of the American Hockey League, Charlotte Checkers of the Eastern Hockey League, and the Mohawk Valley Comets of the North American Hockey League.[2]
Coaching
Bob Whidden is one of the most accomplished head coaches in Ohio high school hockey. He spent 21 years at the helm of the hockey team at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, which is a western suburb of Cleveland. Whidden would make an immediate impact. In 1985, in his first year as head coach, Whidden would lead the team to become the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State "big school" hockey champions. That team featured a young sophomore center named Todd Harkins, who would go on to have an NHL and minor league career.[3] Whidden coached several players that would be in the NHL draft including Todd Harkins, Brett Harkins, and Michael Rupp, who is now with the Minnesota Wild.
Eventually, Whidden's Eagles would win 10 OHSAA state titles, 7 Baron Cups (Greater Cleveland Championships), and finished with a career record of 507-149-28.[4] His 507 wins rank fourth most all-time in OHSAA history.[5] He retired in March 2005 after winning the 10th title and being named Ohio High School Hockey Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
In July 2009, St. Edward named Whidden to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame, class of 2009.[6]
Honors
- 1967 Memorial Cup Winner (player)
- 10 OHSAA state titles (coach)
- 7 Baron Cups (coach)
- 500 Wins as a high school head coach
- Cleveland Hockey Legends Ring of Honor[7]
- In 2011, he was hono(u)red by his hometown by being added to the 'House of Kin Sudbury Hall of Fame [8]
Personal life
He is married to Irma and have three sons, Rob and Jarrett, both of whom followed in their father's coaching footsteps, and Tyler. Rob took over as head coach of St. Edward hockey in 2005 and won the 2008 Ohio state championship.[9] In August 2006, Jarrett was named head coach of Kent State University Ice Hockey following a minor league career.[10]
References
- ↑ Memorial Cup Archived June 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Bob Whidden's profile at hockeydb.com
- ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 5, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
- ↑ West Life Newspaper - Sports Archived July 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "State Records : Ice Hockey". Ohsaa.org. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ "2009 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Announced - St. Edward High School". Alumni.sehs.net. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3130888
- ↑ nurun.com (2011-04-25). "Whidden a winner both on and off the ice". Sudbury Star. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ http://ohsaa.org/sports/ih/boys/results/2008/results08.htm
- ↑ ' + $this.attr("postdate") + '. "Home Page | ACHA". Achahockey.org. Retrieved 2016-04-03.