Chuck Delich

Major Charles "Chuck" Delich is a retired American ice hockey player and coach. His association with The Air Force Academy also includes being a commissioned officer until his military retirement in 1993.[1]

Chuck Delich
Biographical details
Born1955 (age 6768)
Eveleth, Minnesota, USA
Playing career
1973–1977Air Force
Position(s)Forward
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1981–1985Air Force (assistant)
1985–1997Air Force
Head coaching record
Overall154–197–19 (.442)

Career

Chuck Delich entered the Air Force Academy in the fall of 1973, joining the hockey club and immediately making an impact on the program. Delich led the Falcons in both Goals and Points in each of his four seasons, becoming not only the club's all-time leader in both (by a wide margin), but remains the NCAA's leading goal-scorer at the Division I level.[1] Delich was twice named team MVP and served as co-captain in his senior season.

Delich began his active service after graduating but was able to return to Colorado Springs in 1981 to rejoin the hockey team as an assistant coach. Working under his former coach John Matchefts for four years, Delich was chosen as his successor and began serving as head coach in 1985. As had happened under Matchefts, Delich's tenure saw about as many winning seasons as not but he was able to shepherd the team through twelve seasons despite having few local opponents and not being part of an athletic conference. During the early part of his career Chuck was able to coach his younger brother Joe and in 1993, while still coach, Delich retired from military service as a Major. Delich stepped down as coach after the 1996–97 season, turning the reigns over to Frank Serratore.[2]

Delich has been honored for his career several times including having the team MVP renamed in his honor a year after his retirement and being inducted into the Air Force Athletic hall of fame in 2011.[1]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season[3] Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1973–74 Air Force NCAA 2743246736
1974–75 Air Force NCAA 2938266440
1975–76 Air Force NCAA 2644357945
1976–77 Air Force NCAA 2731386930
NCAA totals 109 156 123 279 151

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Air Force Falcons (Independent) (1985–1997)
1985–86 Air Force 15–13–0
1986–87 Air Force 19–10–0
1987–88 Air Force 15–14–0
1988–89 Air Force 14–12–3
1989–90 Air Force 16–13–1
1990–91 Air Force 11–17–4
1991–92 Air Force 14–20–0
1992–93 Air Force 8–20–2
1993–94 Air Force 15–16–1
1994–95 Air Force 15–17–1
1995–96 Air Force 4–24–5
1996–97 Air Force 8–21–2
Air Force: 154–197–19
Total:154–197–19

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[4]

References

  1. "2011–12 Air Force Falcons Media Guide" (PDF). Air Force. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  2. "Air Force Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  3. "Chuck Delich". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  4. "2012–13 Air Force Falcons Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
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