Gordie Dwyer

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| image = Gordie Dwyer.jpg

| caption = Dwyer with the Lowell Lock Monsters in 2004

| image_size = 230px

| position = Left Wing

| shoots = Left

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb = 206

| played_for = Tampa Bay Lightning
New York Rangers
Montreal Canadiens

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|01|25}}

| birth_place = Dalhousie, New Brunswick, Canada

| draft = 67th overall, 1996
St. Louis Blues
152nd overall

| draft_year = 1998

| draft_team = Montreal Canadiens

| career_start = 1998

| career_end = 2009

}}

Gordon Rick Dwyer (born January 25, 1978) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played five seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens. He currently serves as the head coach and general manager of the Acadie–Bathurst Titan for the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Playing career

As a youth, Dwyer played in the 1992 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Drummondville.{{cite web |url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf |title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA |year=2018 |website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament |access-date=2019-02-02 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf |url-status=dead }} He attended Philemon Wright High School in Hull, Quebec, while playing for the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He has also played for the Laval Titan, Beauport Harfangs, Drummondville Voltigeurs, and the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Dwyer was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round, 67th overall, of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Unable to reach a contract agreement with St. Louis, Dwyer re-entered the draft in 1998 and was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 6th round, 152nd overall.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

While a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dwyer achieved notoriety by receiving a 23-game suspension for leaving the penalty box to engage in a brawl, during which he verbally and physically abused officials, in a pre-season game against the Washington Capitals on September 19, 2000. The suspension stands as one of the longest in NHL history.{{Cite web |url=http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/history/a/nhl_suspensions.htm |title=About.com: The Longest NHL Suspensions |access-date=2010-11-10 |archive-date=2016-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219170905/http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/history/a/nhl_suspensions.htm |url-status=dead }}

In 2004, he signed as a free agent by the Carolina Hurricanes but never played for them. He played for the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he had 9 points and 183 penalty minutes in 56 games. He remained with Lowell for the 2005–06 season, but due to a shoulder injury he played only 17 games with 4 points and 37 penalty minutes. Dwyer attended the Vancouver Canucks training camp in 2006 hoping to earn a roster space. He also attended the New York Islanders 2007 training camp where he was a late cut. Through 108 NHL contests he never scored a goal, though he obtained 5 assists and 394 penalty minutes.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Dwyer spent the latter half of the 2006–07 season with the Örebro Vipers of Swedish Division 1. In his first game for Örebro, he notched two assists, where he had 15 points and 16 penalty minutes in 11 games. In the 2007–08 season, he played for the Portland Pirates of the AHL, where he had 3 points and 27 penalty minutes in 13 games, and in Villingen-Schwenningen for the SERC Wild Wings in the German Bundesliga, where he had 7 points and 34 penalty minutes in 14 games. He returned to the Örebro Vipers for the 2008–09 season, where he had 7 points and 79 penalty minutes in 13 games.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Coaching career

Dwyer was named head coach and associate general manager of the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League for the 2009–10 season. Dwyer led a rebuilding team to a regular-season record of 27–20–1–2. The Capitals finished third in the Roger Meek Division and won a seven-game division semifinal series against second-place Miramichi. The Capitals were then eliminated by eventual league champion Woodstock in a five-game division final. In 2010–11, Dwyer returned as the team's head coach and associate director of hockey operations leading Summerside to a second-place finish with a 36–12–1–3 record. Under Dwyer's guidance, the team went on to capture the Kent Cup as league champions with a 12–3 playoff record. Following the season, Dwyer was named the league's coach of the year.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

On May 17, 2011, Dwyer was named the head coach of the P.E.I. Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} In The Hockey News 2011 edition of the 100 Most Powerful people in ice hockey, Dwyer was considered one of the top 40 under the age of 40. This recognition was attributed to his assistance in the development of Tuff 'n Lite, a unisex cut resistant protective sport sock.The Hockey News, Volume 64, Number 14, January 17, 2011, p.25, Publisher: Caroline Andrews, Transcontinental Media The Rocket rebranded as the Charlottetown Islanders in 2013. On April 28, 2015, Dwyer was released after four years as head coach of the Rocket/Islanders earning a 116–133–9–14 overall record with the franchise, including a 35–28–1–4 his final post season when the Islanders defeated the Sherbrooke Phoenix to advance to the second round for the first time since 2004. At the time, he had been the longest-serving head coach in franchise history.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

On June 15, 2015, Dwyer was named the head coach of the KHL Medveščak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).{{Cite web |url=http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/Hockey/2016-07-12/article-4585013/Dwyer-heading-back-to-Croatia-for-second-season-coaching-in-KHL/1 |title=Dwyer heading back to Croatia for second season coaching in KHL - Hockey - The Guardian |website = www.theguardian.pe.ca |access-date=2016-10-02}} On January 31, 2017, Dwyer parted ways with Zagreb to take over the head coaching position at HC Ambrì-Piotta of the Swiss top-flight National League A.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hcap.ch/it/article/4679/il-canadese-gordie-dwyer-il-nuovo-allenatore-hcap |title=Il canadese Gordie Dwyer è il nuovo allenatore HCAP |website=www.hcap.ch |access-date=2017-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131111342/http://www.hcap.ch/it/article/4679/il-canadese-gordie-dwyer-il-nuovo-allenatore-hcap |archive-date=2017-01-31}} His Ambrì-Piotta stint ended at the close of the 2016–17 season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.planetehockey.com/news-ambri-confirme-luca-cereda-en-tant-que-coach,65353.html |title=Actualité - Ambri confirme Luca Cereda en tant que coach {{!}} Planète Hockey |website=Planète Hockey |language=fr-CH |access-date=2017-04-28 |archive-date=2017-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502105851/http://www.planetehockey.com/news-ambri-confirme-luca-cereda-en-tant-que-coach,65353.html |url-status=dead }}

In July 2017, Dwyer returned to the KHL as head coach of the Belarusian-based HC Dinamo Minsk.{{Cite web|url=https://en.khl.ru/news/2018/04/12/386054.html|title=Gordie Dwyer: It was a season of transition for Minsk|website=khl.ru|access-date=2018-12-25}} He was relieved of his duties on November 9, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://en.khl.ru/news/2018/11/09/415748.html|title=Gordie Dwyer fired by Dinamo Minsk|website=khl.ru|access-date=2018-12-25}}

He then returned to the QMJHL for the 2019–20 season as head coach of the Shawinigan Cataractes, but left after one season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lenouvelliste.ca/sports/cataractes-gordie-dwyer-ne-reviendra-pas-a-shawinigan-8c0c8d612fc6c0e2efd8107cebc66064 |title=Cataracts: Gordie Dwyer will not return to Shawinigan |language=fr |date=2020-08-04 |website=leNouvelliste}} In 2021, he became head coach of the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sea-dogs-name-gordie-dwyer-head-coach/n-5728866 |title=Sea Dogs Name Gordie Dwyer Head Coach |website=OurSports Central |date=August 4, 2021}}

Dwyer has also served as an assistant coach with Team Canada, start from when they won a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship in the Czech Republic.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} In December 2016, he served as assistant coach of Team Canada at the prestigious Spengler Cup,{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2016-17-nmt-coaching-staff-named-for-spengler-cup|title=Luke Richardson named head coach for 2016 Spengler Cup| website = www.hockeycanada.ca|access-date=2016-12-30}} helping guide Canada to their 14th title that year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spenglercup.ch/de/news/14-triumph-fuer-das-team-canada|title=14. Triumph für das Team Canada {{!}} Spengler Cup|website=www.spenglercup.ch|access-date=2016-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231192123/https://www.spenglercup.ch/de/news/14-triumph-fuer-das-team-canada|archive-date=2016-12-31|url-status=dead}} In 2020–21, he was again an assistant coach at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships.{{Cite web |url=https://hockeypei.com/islanders-named-to-national-mens-under-18-team-staff/ |title=ISLANDERS NAMED TO NATIONAL MEN'S UNDER-18 TEAM STAFF |website=Hockey PEI |date=2021-04-01}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"\| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"\| ! colspan="5"\|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"\| ! colspan="5"\|Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
1994–95 \| Hull Olympiques \| QMJHL \| 57	3	7	10	204 \| 17	1	3	4	54
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 1995–96 \| Hull Olympiques \| QMJHL \| 25	5	9	14	199 \| —	—	—	—	—
1995–96 \| Laval Titan College Francais \| QMJHL \| 22	5	17	22	72 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 1995–96 \| Beauport Harfangs \| QMJHL \| 22	4	9	13	87 \| 20	3	5	8	104
1996–97 \| Drummondville Voltigeurs \| QMJHL \| 66	21	48	69	391 \| 8	6	1	7	39
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 1997–98 \| Quebec Remparts \| QMJHL \| 59	18	27	45	365 \| 14	4	9	13	67
1998–99 \| New Orleans Brass \| ECHL \| 36	1	3	4	163 \| 11	0	0	0	27
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 1998–99 \| Fredericton Canadiens \| AHL \| 14	0	0	0	46 \| —	—	—	—	—
1999–00 \| Quebec Citadelles \| AHL \| 7	0	0	0	37 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 1999–00 \| Detroit Vipers \| IHL \| 27	0	2	2	147 \| —	—	—	—	—
1999–00 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 24	0	1	1	135 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2000–01 \| Detroit Vipers \| IHL \| 24	2	3	5	169 \| —	—	—	—	—
2000–01 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 28	0	1	1	96 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2001–02 \| Springfield Falcons \| AHL \| 17	1	3	4	80 \| —	—	—	—	—
2001–02 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 26	0	2	2	60 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2002–03 \| Hartford Wolf Pack \| AHL \| 15	3	2	5	117 \| —	—	—	—	—
2002–03 \| New York Rangers \| NHL \| 17	0	1	1	50 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2002–03 \| Montreal Canadiens \| NHL \| 11	0	0	0	46 \| —	—	—	—	—
2003–04 \| Hamilton Bulldogs \| AHL \| 55	6	6	12	110 \| 6	0	0	0	15
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2003–04 \| Montreal Canadiens \| NHL \| 2	0	0	0	7 \| —	—	—	—	—
2004–05 \| Lowell Lock Monsters \| AHL \| 56	2	7	9	183 \| 11	1	0	1	54
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2005–06 \| Lowell Lock Monsters \| AHL \| 17	0	4	4	37 \| —	—	—	—	—
2006–07 \| Örebro HK \| SWE-3 \| 11	8	7	15	16 \| 2	0	0	0	28
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2007–08 \| Portland Pirates \| AHL \| 13	1	2	3	27 \| —	—	—	—	—
2007–08 \| Schwenningen ERC \| DEL \| 14	2	5	7	34 \| 7	0	1	1	37
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2008–09 \| Örebro HK \| SWE-3 \| 27	4	8	12	99 \| 10	3	2	5	4
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| AHL totals ! 194 !! 13 !! 24 !! 37 !! 637 ! 17 !! 1 !! 0 !! 1 !! 69
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 108 !! 0 !! 5 !! 5 !! 394 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! —

Coaching record

rowspan="2"\|Team	rowspan="2"\|Year	rowspan="2"\|League	colspan="7"\|Regular Season	colspan="1"\|Post Season
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Finish	Result
PEI\|\|2011–12 \|\|QMJHL \|68\|\|19\|\|43\|\|2\|\|4\|\|44\|\|6th in Maritimes\|\|Missed playoffs
PEI\|\|2012–13 \|\|QMJHL \|68\|\|41\|\|23\|\|3\|\|1\|\|86\|\|3rd in Maritimes\|\|Lost in First round (VAL)
CHA\|\|2013–14 \|\|QMJHL \|68\|\|21\|\|39\|\|3\|\|5\|\|50\|\|5th in Maritimes\|\|Lost in First round (HAL)
CHA\|\|2014–15 \|\|QMJHL \|68\|\|35\|\|28\|\|1\|\|4\|\|75\|\|2nd in Maritimes\|\|Lost in Second round (QUE)
colspan="2"\|PEI/CHA Totals		272	116	133	9	14	255
SHA\|\|2019–20 \|\|QMJHL \|63\|\|29\|\|32\|\|2\|\|0\|\|60\|\|4th in Central\|\|Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
colspan="2"\|SHA Totals		63	29	32	2	0	60
SNB\|\|2021–22 \|\|QMJHL \|67\|\|46\|\|17\|\|1\|\|3\|\|96\|\|2nd in Maritimes\|\|Lost in First round (RIM)
colspan="2"\|SNB Totals		67	46	17	1	3	96
colspan="2"\|QMJHL Totals		402	264	182	12	17	411

Transactions

Traded to Tampa Bay by Montreal for Mike McBain, November 26, 1999.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
Traded to NY Rangers by Tampa Bay for Boyd Kane, October 10, 2002.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
Claimed on waivers by Montreal from NY Rangers, February 21, 2003.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
Signed as a free agent by Carolina, August 11, 2004.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
Missed majority of 2005–06 season recovering from a shoulder injury.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}