Graeme Townshend

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

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 Maine Mariners
Boston Bruins
New York Islanders
Capital District Islanders
Ottawa Senators
Prince Edward Island Senators
Houston Aeros
Minnesota Moose
Utah Grizzlies
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1989–1999

Playing career

Prior to starting his professional career, Townshend played four seasons at RPI in ECAC Hockey, serving as a team captain during 1987–88 season. He also played for the Mimico Monarchs of the Central Junior "B" Hockey League.

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 (AHL) 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. Townshend 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.

Post-playing career

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

For four 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. Phillipps, co-founder of the Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation (JOIHF) and asked to serve as its first head coach.[2] As a head coach, he organized the first player identification and tryout camp for the new organization in August 2014.[3] Townshend continues to be a head coach of the Jamaica men's national junior team, with aspirations of making it to the Winter Olympics.

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

Personal life

Townshend was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but was raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada when his family moved there in 1969. He has a brother, Kurt, who was also born in Kingston, Jamaica, and sister, Laurie, who was born in Toronto, Ontario. He is married to Lori-Ann Townshend.

References
  1. "Maple Leafs Add Townshend to Staff". ECAC Hockey. 2008-09-09. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  2. "Saco man pursues dream of Olympic hockey team for Jamaica". Portland Press Herald. 2014-08-29. 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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