Legendary hockey coach and Clarkson Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Len Ceglarski, passed away Saturday morning. He was 91 years old.
Ceglarski is the ninth-winningest coach in NCAA college hockey history, having amassed a career record of 673-339-38 (.659).
The East Walpole, Mass., native started his coaching career at Clarkson in 1958 and compiled a 254-97-10 (.718) record through 14 years (1958-72) in Potsdam. He guided the Golden Knights to four NCAA tournament berths and their first ECAC Tournament title in 1966. Ceglarski also guided Clarkson to three national championship games in 1962, 1966 and 1970. He ranks second in wins at Clarkson after mark Morris (306).
In 1972, Ceglarski took over at his alma mater, Boston College and went on to post an overall record of 419-272-27 (.602) in 20 seasons as head coach of the Eagles.
When Ceglarski retired at the end of the 1991-92 season, he left the game as the winningest coach in the game. Upon retirement, Ceglarski joined an elite group when he was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
In 1990, Ceglarski won the Lester Patrick Trophy, an annual award presented for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. He also collected three Spencer Penrose Trophies in 1965-66 (while at Clarkson), 1972-73 and 1984-85, given to the national coach of the year.
Ceglarski was also a member of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the silver medal at the 1952 Winter Olympic Games in Oslo, Norway.
Ceglarski was inducted into Clarkson’s Athletic Hall of fame in 2007.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Mr. Ceglarski’s life at 10 a.m. Tuesday in James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home in Walpole. The family will hold a private memorial service afterward.
