Move over Brett Hull, Keith “Huffer” Christiansen and Bill Watson. You’ll soon have some company.
On Oct. 30, Minnesota-Duluth will officially retire Glenn “Chico” Resch’s No. 1 jersey during a first intermission ceremony at AMSOIL Arena, making the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame charter member the fourth Bulldog male in any sport to be so recognized.
Resch will join Brett Hull, Keith “Huffer” Christiansen and Bill Watson in that exclusive club.
“We congratulate ‘Chico’ on this prestigious and well-deserved honor,” said UMD athletic director Josh Berlo in a news release. “Not only did he enjoy prosperous playing career both here and in the National Hockey League, but he’s always been an outstanding ambassador for UMD and Bulldog hockey.”
“The world for me changed during my time at UMD,” added Resch. “It was a launching point for me – both personally and professionally. I met my wife (Diane) there and everything I was able to accomplish after that in hockey and in broadcasting I owe to those four years.”
A three-year fixture in goal for the Bulldogs, Resch was selected to the All-WCHA Second Team as a senior team captain in 1970-71. He exited the Bulldog program ranking among the top three leaders in virtually every career and single-season statistical category for UMD goaltenders.
Resch went on to spend 14 years in the NHL with the New York Islanders (1973-81), Colorado Rockies (1981-82), New Jersey Devils (1982-86) and Philadelphia Flyers (1986) before retiring in 1986 at the age of 37.
He was also one of 12 individuals inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1991.
