Joe Dziedzic

I have talked about the potential for Joe to be a great Penguin before and his career ending eye injury in 2000 so I will spare everyone the recap.  But I did find more about his career after the NHL, which is more interesting I think.  

From 2004-2009, he coached Minnesota's Team Northwest in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League.  They made it to the championship game in 2008. In 2010, Joe began his job as head coach and director of hockey at St. Paul Academy and Summit School.  

As I mentioned, Joe now runs a youth hockey camp in Minnesota.  He has helped train hundreds of players of all ages on the fundamentals of what it takes to be a great player.  His camp focuses on skills development, helping students improve both skating and puck handling.   The advertise a "no-gimmicks" approach to instructions, meaning good old fashioned hard work and dedication.

This is the second Joe Dziedzic autographed card I have been able to add to my collection.  You can check out the first one here, along with my original write up if you would like.  

This one comes from the 1994 Signature Rookies set and is hand numbered out of 7,750.  The card is signed in what looks like blue sharpie marker.  It's interesting that Joe decided not to cover up any of his image and elected to sign over the card logo itself.  Vanity?  Maybe.

Joe Dziedzic

Oh, what could have been.  Joe Dziedzic was a highly touted prospect for the Pens organization.  The guy was drafted 61st overall with the Pens third pick in 1990 while still playing for his high school team in Minneapolis.

After winning Minnesota's Mr. Hockey designation as a senior, Joe went on to play for the University of Minnesota for four years, putting up solid numbers for a large winger.  

When he finally made it to the NHL, after scoring 30 points for the Cleveland Lumberjacks in the IHL, the Pens gave him an opportunity to get ice time, logging 69 games. The next season, he was on their checking line because of his size and ability.  He chipped in 5 goals and 5 assists his rookie season and 9 goals and 9 assists in his second year.

Unfortunately for him, his training camp the following year was less than stellar and with Kevin Constantine behind the bench, there was no room for Joe.  He was sent down to Cleveland where he continued to impress with 41 points.  He eventually was signed by Phoenix, played two games, and then spent the rest of the year in Springfield.  An eye injury late in the season forced him off the ice, not only for the year, but for good.

If you believe the internet, he runs a hockey camp for kids in Minneapolis now.

This card comes from the Pinnacle Be A Player set and is signed in black, fine-tip sharpie.