Joseph Duszak

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Joseph Duszak

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|07|22}}

| birth_place = Franklin Square, New York, U.S.

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 10

| weight_lb = 185

| position = Defense

| shoots = Right

| league = KHL

| team = Kunlun Red Star

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = Toronto Marlies
Dinamo Minsk
Springfield Thunderbirds
Severstal Cherepovets

| ntl_team =

| draft = Undrafted

| draft_year =

| draft_team =

| career_start = 2019

| career_end =

}}

Joseph Duszak (born July 22, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Kunlun Red Star of the KHL.

Playing career

=Amateur=

At the age of 15, Duszak joined the P.A.L. Junior Islanders of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).{{cite web |last1=Frazier |first1=Nick |title=Duszak fuels Mercyhurst's charge, with ex-P.A.L. Junior Islanders teammates |url=https://www.nyhockeyjournal.com/duszak-fuels-mercyhursts-charge-with-ex-p-a-l-junior-islanders-teammates/ |website=nyhockeyjournal.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=December 10, 2018}} During the 2014–15 season, Duszak committed to attend Mercyhurst University and play for the Mercyhurst Lakers Division 1 men's ice hockey team.{{cite web |title=Joe Duszak Commits to NCAA D-I Mercyhurst University |url=https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/448994-pal-s-joe-duszak-commits-to-mercyhurst-university |website=usphl.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=November 18, 2014 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809134749/https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/448994-pal-s-joe-duszak-commits-to-mercyhurst-university |url-status=dead }}

In his last season with the Junior Islanders, Duszak was named the 2016 USPHL Player of the Year after ending the 2015–16 year with 60 points.{{cite web |last1=Boyd |first1=Joshua |title=Player of the Year Duszak credits USPHL for development |url=https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/676623-nhl-ncaa-look-to-usphl-for-rising-stars |website=usphl.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=August 12, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was also named USPHL Premier Defenseman of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Judge |first1=Pete |title=PAL's Duszak Named USPHL Premier Defenseman of the Year Junior Hockey News |url=https://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=90610 |website=juniorhockey.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=March 28, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Although he played two games for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, Duszak eventually returned to the USPHL.{{cite web |title=Joseph Duszak – The USPHL Is My League Of Choice |url=https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/joseph-duszak-the-usphl-is-my-league-of-choice/ |website=thejuniorhockeynews.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019}}

In his freshman year at Mercyhurst, he played in 29 games and ended the season with 5 goals and 16 assists. In his sophomore season, Duszak tallied 9 goals and 22 assists in 35 games.{{cite web |title=JOSEPH DUSZAK |url=https://hurstathletics.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/joseph-duszak/10147 |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019}} At the end of the season, he was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association's All-Conference Second Team{{cite web |title=9 of 11 Atlantic Hockey Members Represented on All-Conference Teams |url=http://www.atlantichockeyonline.com/news/2018/3/8/mens-ice-hockey-9-of-11-atlantic-hockey-members-represented-on-all-conference-teams.aspx |website=atlantichockeyonline.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=March 8, 2018}} and Mercyhurst's Top Defenseman.{{cite web |title=Men's Ice Hockey Announces Team Awards for 2017-18 Season|url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2018/4/15/mens-ice-hockey-announces-team-awards-for-2017-18-season.aspx?path=hwrowing|website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=April 15, 2018}}

In his final year with the Mercyhurst Lakers, he had a break out season. Duszak led the team with 16 goals and recorded his first career hat trick in a 4–3 win over the Holy Cross Crusaders.{{cite web |title=Duszak Records Hat Trick as Men's Ice Hockey Defeats Holy Cross 4-3 |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/1/4/duszak-records-hatrick-as-mens-ice-hockey-defeats-holy-cross-4-3.aspx |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=January 4, 2019}} With his assistance, the Mercyhurst Lakers jumped from sixth in the conference to fourth.{{cite web |last1=Burgess |first1=Melissa |title=Mercyhurst Has Its Own Hobey-Worthy D-Man |url=https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2019/02/08_Mercyhurst-Has-Its-Own-Hobey.php |website=collegehockeynews.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=February 8, 2019}} He led all the Atlantic Hockey conference defenseman in points and tied for the league lead in points and assists. As a result, he was named the Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year and Atlantic Hockey Best Defenseman.{{cite web |title=Duszak Named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, Best Defenseman, Lammon Top Defensive Forward |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/3/21/mens-ice-hockey-duszak-named-atlantic-hockey-player-of-the-year-defenseman-of-the-year-lammon-top-defensive-forward.aspx?path=hwrowing |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=March 21, 2019}} Duszak was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award as the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player{{cite web |title=Barach, Duszak Nominated for Hobey Baker Award |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/1/16/mens-ice-hockey-barach-duszak-nominated-for-hobey-baker-award.aspx |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=January 16, 2019}} and selected for the AHCA All-America Second Team.{{cite web |title=Duszak Selected To AHCA All-America Second Team |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/4/12/mens-ice-hockey-duszak-selected-to-acha-all-america-second-team.aspx?path=hwrowing |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=April 12, 2019}} He was also named to the All-Atlantic Hockey First Team.{{cite web |title=Barach, Duszak Selected To All-Atlantic Hockey First Team |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/3/14/mens-ice-hockey-barach-duszak-selected-to-all-atlantic-hockey-first-team.aspx?path=hwrowing |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=March 14, 2019}} As a result of his play, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Duszak to a two-year entry-level contract.{{cite web |title=Maple Leafs sign college free agent Joseph Duszak to entry-level deal |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-sign-college-free-agent-joseph-duszak-entry-level-deal/ |website=sportsnet.ca |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=March 13, 2019}}

= Professional =

On May 3, 2019, Duszak recorded his first career AHL goal in a win over the Cleveland Monsters.{{cite web |title=Carcone Scores Overtime Winner in Game Two |url=http://marlies.ca/article/gameday-cleveland-050319 |website=marlies.ca |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=May 3, 2019}} In June 2019, Duszak was invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs Development Camp.{{cite web |title=Men's Ice Hockey Sends Four Players to NHL Development Camps |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/6/17/mens-ice-hockey-sends-four-players-to-nhl-development-camps.aspx |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=June 17, 2019}} After attending the Maple Leafs training camp, he was reassigned to the Toronto Marlies for the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Maple Leafs Trim Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-training-camp-roster-update-092519/c-309453014 |website=nhl.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=September 25, 2019}} He subsequently joined their ECHL team, the Newfoundland Growlers, for their training camp{{cite web |title=GROWLERS ANNOUNCE 2019-20 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER |url=https://www.nlgrowlers.com/201920news/growlers-announce-2019-20-training-camp-roster |website=nlgrowlers.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=September 30, 2019}} and made their opening night roster.{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Brendan |title=The Newfoundland Growlers will be a little green on the blueline |url=https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/sports/regional-sports/the-newfoundland-growlers-will-be-a-little-green-on-the-blueline-360607/ |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=October 5, 2019}} On November 12, he was recalled to the AHL{{cite web |title=ECHL TRANSACTIONS - NOV. 12 |url=https://www.echl.com/en/news/2019/11/echl-transactions-nov-12 |website=echl.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=November 12, 2019}} but demoted shortly thereafter.{{cite web |title=ECHL TRANSACTIONS - NOV. 15 |url=https://www.echl.com/news/2019/11/echl-transactions-nov-15 |website=echl.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=November 15, 2019}}

On August 30, 2022, Duszak signed a one-year contract with HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) after failing to make the Leafs during his 3-year tenure in the Leafs organization.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Joseph Duszak signs with HC Dinamo Minsk |url=https://eng.belta.by/sport/view/joseph-duszak-signs-with-hc-dinamo-minsk-152825-2022/ |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=eng.belta.by |language=en-EN}}

Following a successful season with Minsk, Duszak opted to return to North America in securing a one-year AHL contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the primary affiliate to the St. Louis Blues, on July 6, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/detail/t-birds-sign-d-joseph-duszak-to-one-year-ahl-contract | title = T-Birds sign D Joseph Duszak to one-year AHL contract | publisher = Springfield Thunderbirds | date = July 6, 2023 | accessdate = July 6, 2023}}

As a free agent from the Blues, Duszak's KHL rights were traded by Dinamo Minsk to Russian club, Severstal Cherepovets in exchange for prospect Nikita Guslistov on July 17, 2024.{{cite web| publisher = HC Dinamo Minsk | title = As a result of the exchange with Severstal, Minsk Dynamo received the rights to Nikita Guslistov | url = https://hcdinamo.by/news/sobytiya/v-rezultate-obmena-s-severstalyu-minskoe-dinamo-poluchilo-prava-na-nikitu-guslistova/ | date = 17 July 2024 | accessdate = 17 July 2024 | language = Russian }}

In 2024, Duszak signed with Severstal Cherepovets of the KHL and was later moved to Kunlun Red Star in exchange for monetary compensation.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=First Point For Duszak |url=https://hcredstar.com/blog/2024/11/29/first-point-for-duszak/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Kunlun Red Star}}

Career statistics

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Regular season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2013–14

| P.A.L. Junior Islanders

| USPHL

| 34

| 1

| 16

| 17

| 22

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2014–15

| P.A.L. Junior Islanders

| USPHL

| 50

| 18

| 39

| 57

| 74

| 2

| 1

| 2

2015–16

| P.A.L. Junior Islanders

| USPHL

| 42

| 14

| 46

| 60

| 107

| 2

| 4

| 14

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| Chicago Steel

| USHL

| 2

| 0

| 1

| 0

| —

2016–17

| Mercyhurst College

| AHA

| 29

| 5

| 16

| 21

| 34

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2017–18

| Mercyhurst College

| AHA

| 35

| 9

| 22

| 31

| 22

| —

2018–19

| Mercyhurst College

| AHA

| 37

| 16

| 31

| 47

| 42

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2018–19

| Toronto Marlies

| AHL

| 2

| 0

| 2

| 4

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

2019–20

| Newfoundland Growlers

| ECHL

| 34

| 9

| 26

| 35

| 34

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2019–20

| Toronto Marlies

| AHL

| 23

| 3

| 15

| 18

| 24

| —

2020–21

| Toronto Marlies

| AHL

| 25

| 4

| 8

| 12

| 8

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2021–22

| Toronto Marlies

| AHL

| 61

| 7

| 45

| 52

| 62

| —

2022–23

| Dinamo Minsk

| KHL

| 68

| 9

| 36

| 45

| 60

| 3

| 0

| 8

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2023–24

| Springfield Thunderbirds

| AHL

| 60

| 9

| 29

| 38

| 63

| —

2024–25

| Severstal Cherepovets

| KHL

| 9

| 1

| 3

| 4

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2024–25

| Kunlun Red Star

| KHL

| 35

| 3

| 15

| 18

| 57

| —

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | AHL totals

! 171

! 23

! 97

! 120

! 159

! 4

! 1

! 0

! 1

! 0

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | KHL totals

! 112

! 13

! 54

! 67

! 119

! 3

! 0

! 8

Awards and honors

class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year !
colspan="3"\|USPHL
USPHL Player of the Year \| 2015–16 \|
USPHL Premier Defenseman of the Year \| 2015–16 \|
colspan="3"\|College
Atlantic Hockey Association's All-Conference Second Team \| 2017–18 \|
Atlantic Hockey Best Defenseman \| 2018–19 \|
Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year \| 2018–19 \|
All-Atlantic Hockey First Team \| 2018–19 \|
AHCA All-America Second Team \| 2018–19 \|
HCA National Player of the Month \| November 2019 \|{{cite web \|title=Duszak Adds Another Accolade: HCA National Player of the Month \|url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-ice-hockey-duszak-adds-another-accolade-hca-national-player-of-the-month.aspx?path=mhockey \|website=hurstathletics.com \|accessdate=November 25, 2019 \|date=February 5, 2019}}
AHA Defensive Player of the Week \| November 2019 \|{{cite web \|title=Duszak Named AHA Defensive Player of the Week \|url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/1/29/mens-ice-hockey-duszak-named-aha-defensive-player-of-the-week.aspx?path=hwrowing \|website=hurstathletics.com \|accessdate=November 25, 2019 \|date=January 29, 2019}}
colspan="3"\|ECHL
All-Rookie Team \| 2019–20 \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/4/echl-announces-2019-20-all-rookie-team \|title=ECHL Announces 2019-20 All-Rookie Team \|publisher=ECHL \|date=April 2, 2020}}
ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| AHL
Second All-Star Team \| 2021–22 \| {{cite web \| url = https://theahl.com/2021-22-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams \| title = 2021-22 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled \| publisher = American Hockey League \| date = April 28, 2022 \| accessdate = April 28, 2022 \| archive-date = April 29, 2022 \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220429064015/https://theahl.com/2021-22-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams \| url-status = dead }}

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Year

colspan="3"|USPHL

USPHL Player of the Year

| 2015–16

USPHL Premier Defenseman of the Year

| 2015–16

colspan="3"|College

Atlantic Hockey Association's All-Conference Second Team

| 2017–18

Atlantic Hockey Best Defenseman

| 2018–19

Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year

| 2018–19

All-Atlantic Hockey First Team

| 2018–19

AHCA All-America Second Team

| 2018–19

HCA National Player of the Month

| November 2019

|{{cite web |title=Duszak Adds Another Accolade: HCA National Player of the Month |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-ice-hockey-duszak-adds-another-accolade-hca-national-player-of-the-month.aspx?path=mhockey |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=February 5, 2019}}

AHA Defensive Player of the Week

| November 2019

|{{cite web |title=Duszak Named AHA Defensive Player of the Week |url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/1/29/mens-ice-hockey-duszak-named-aha-defensive-player-of-the-week.aspx?path=hwrowing |website=hurstathletics.com |accessdate=November 25, 2019 |date=January 29, 2019}}

colspan="3"|ECHL

All-Rookie Team

| 2019–20

|{{cite web |url=https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/4/echl-announces-2019-20-all-rookie-team |title=ECHL Announces 2019-20 All-Rookie Team |publisher=ECHL |date=April 2, 2020}}

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | AHL

Second All-Star Team

| 2021–22

| {{cite web | url = https://theahl.com/2021-22-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams | title = 2021-22 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled | publisher = American Hockey League | date = April 28, 2022 | accessdate = April 28, 2022 | archive-date = April 29, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220429064015/https://theahl.com/2021-22-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams | url-status = dead }}

References

External links

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{S-ach}}}}

{{succession box | before = Dylan McLaughlin | title=Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year | years = 2018–19| after=Jason Cotton}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans

Category:American men's ice hockey defensemen

Category:Chicago Steel players

Category:HC Dinamo Minsk players

Category:HC Kunlun Red Star players

Category:People from Franklin Square, New York

Category:Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey players

Category:Newfoundland Growlers players

Category:Severstal Cherepovets players

Category:Springfield Thunderbirds players

Category:Toronto Marlies players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen