George Konik

George Samuel Konik (May 4, 1937 – October 21, 2016) was a professional ice hockey player. Konik was a star on the University of Denver hockey team which won the NCAA hockey championship in 1960 and 1961. He signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers after that but did not make his NHL debut until 1967–68 after the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins traded for his rights. Konik made 52 appearances as a versatile role player for the Penguins that season, but drifted back to the minor professional leagues after that.
Konik eventually became a naturalized American citizen and joined the United States national team for the 1970 and 1971 World Championships; he was named best defenceman in 1970. Konik came out of retirement in 1972/73 to play a final season of major league pro hockey for the WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints before leaving hockey for good.
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Category:Born in 1937
Category:American ice hockey players
Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players
Category:Minnesota Fighting Saints players
Category:Flin Flon Bombers players
Category:Denver Pioneers players
Category:Seattle Totems players
Category:Baltimore Clippers players
Category:Minnesota Rangers players
Category:Omaha Knights (CHL) players
Category:Rochester Mustangs players
Category:Member of the American National Team
Category:Retired in 1973
Category:Dead in 2016