Editing Joe Crozier

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player and coach (1929–2022)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| played_for = [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| position = [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|Defence]]
| image = Joe Crozier 1973.JPG
| caption = Crozier in 1973
| shoots = Right
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 180
| birth_date = {{birth date|1929|2|19}}
| birth_place = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|10|11|1929|2|19}}
| death_place = [[Williamsville, New York]], U.S.
| career_start = 1949
| career_end = 1961
}}
'''Joseph Richard Crozier''' (February 19, 1929 – October 11, 2022) was a Canadian professional [[ice hockey]] [[defenceman]] and [[coach (ice hockey)|head coach]] who played and coached primarily in the minor leagues. After playing the better part of 12 seasons in the minor leagues with the [[Quebec Aces]] of the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]], which included a five-game stint in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], Crozier retired in 1961 and became a head coach for 22 years, beginning in 1963. He had also previously been a [[player-coach]] for the Aces in 1957–58.

As a head coach in several leagues, Crozier was a three-time [[Calder Cup]] champion with the [[Rochester Americans]] of the [[American Hockey League]], a two-time [[Lester Patrick Cup]] championship with the [[Vancouver Canucks (WHL)|Vancouver Canucks]] of the [[Western Hockey League (1952–1974)|Western Hockey League]], and a [[Memorial Cup]] champion with the [[Kitchener Rangers]] of the [[Ontario Hockey League]]. During his coaching career, he also made brief appearances in the NHL with the [[Buffalo Sabres]] for {{frac|2|1|2}} seasons and the Maple Leafs from the end of [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]] to the first half of [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]].

In 1985, Crozier was inducted into the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame]] for his efforts, then once again in 2007 as part of a team induction of the [[Memorial Cup]]-runners-up 1948–49 [[Brandon Wheat Kings]].<ref name=mhhof>{{cite web|title=Crozier inducted to Manitoba Hall of Fame|url=http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=341144&page=NewsPage&service=page|publisher=[[Buffalo Sabres]]|accessdate=August 11, 2008|date=October 25, 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026140946/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=341144|archivedate=October 26, 2007}}</ref> Crozier was the father of the professional hockey player, [[Greg Crozier]].

==Playing career==
A native of [[Winnipeg]], Crozier played junior hockey in the [[Manitoba Junior Hockey League]] with the [[Brandon Wheat Kings]].<ref name=quebeccoach/> In his first season in 1947–48, he was named to the MJHL Second All-Star Team, then the First All-Star Team the following year.<ref name=legends>{{cite web|title=Legends of Hockey – Joe Crozier|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12377|publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]]|accessdate=August 11, 2008}}</ref> His second and final year in Brandon culminated in an eight-game [[Memorial Cup]] final series against the [[Montreal Royals]]. The seven-game series was extended an extra game as game three had ended in a 3–3 tie. Although Crozier scored the first goal in the final and deciding eighth game, the Royals scored four times in the third period to defeat the Wheat Kings 6–4. They were later inducted as a team into the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame]] 58 years later in 2007.<ref name=mhhof/>

Turning professional in 1949 with the [[San Francisco Shamrocks]] of the [[Pacific Coast Hockey League]], he began a long career in the minor leagues. After playing a season with the [[Vancouver Canucks (WHL)|Vancouver Canucks]] in 1950–51, he joined the [[Quebec Aces]] of the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]]. Crozier would remain with the Aces for eight seasons, earning Second All-Star Team honours in 1954 after a 27-point campaign and First Team honours in 1957 after recording 37 points. During the 1957–58 season, Crozier also acted as team head coach.<ref name=quebeccoach>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/421232306/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22quebec%20aces%22%20coach&match=1 |title=17 Sep 1957, 24 – The Gazette at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 17, 1957 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

In [[1959–60 AHL season|1959–60]], Crozier joined the [[Rochester Americans]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL), then earned a break with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). He played five games with the Maple Leafs, his only appearance in the NHL as a player, recording three assists.<ref name=amerks/> After his NHL stint, Crozier finished his playing career with the [[Spokane Spokes]] of the [[Western Hockey League (1952–1974)|Western Hockey League]] in 1959–60<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/494944653/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22&match=1 |title=3 Oct 1959, 27 – The Leader-Post at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=October 3, 1959 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> and one more season with the Rochester Americans in [[1960–61 AHL season|1960–61]].<ref name=amerks>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/137282729/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20maple%20leafs%20five%20games&match=1 |title=14 Aug 1963, Page 29 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=August 14, 1963 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
[[File:JoeCrozier1.jpg|thumb|right|Crozier in 2015]]
Crozier made his head coaching debut in 1957–58 with the [[Quebec Aces]] of the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]], while still playing defence with the team.<ref name=quebeccoach/> Quebec posted a 29–31–4 record. In 1961, he became the head coach and general manager for the [[Charlotte Checkers (EHL/SHL)|Charlotte Checkers]] of the minor professional [[Eastern Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/619875538/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22Charlotte%20Checkers%22&match=1 |title=11 Aug 1961, 18 – The Charlotte News at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=August 11, 1961 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> After one season with the Checkers, he rejoined Rochester of the AHL as their coach.<ref name=amerks/> In 1965, his second season as head coach of the Americans, he won his first of three [[Calder Cups]], as AHL champion, during five seasons with the team.<ref name=legendary>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/591332774/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22calder%20cup%22&match=1 |title=24 Feb 2019, A15 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=February 24, 2019 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The directors of the [[Vancouver Canucks (WHL)|Vancouver Canucks]] of the Western Hockey League purchased the Americans after the 1967–68 season, and Crozier assigned [[Dick Gamble]] to coach for Rochester while he coached for Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/492285207/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20vancouver&match=1 |title=14 Aug 1968, 23 – The Vancouver Sun at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=August 14, 1968 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/500952849/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20vancouver&match=1 |title=10 Sep 1968, 11 – The Province at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 10, 1968 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Crozier won two [[Lester Patrick Cup]]s as WHL champion in his two seasons with Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/500621194/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22lester%20patrick%22&match=1 |title=5 May 1970, 10 – The Province at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 5, 1970 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> In 1971, he became the coach and general manager of the [[Cincinnati Swords]] of the AHL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/763930482/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=2 Jul 1971, 26 – The Cincinnati Post at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=July 2, 1971 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

After a heart attack to [[Buffalo Sabres]] coach [[Punch Imlach|"Punch" Imlach]], Crozier was given Imlach's position and made his [[National Hockey League]] coaching debut in [[1971–72 NHL season|1972]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/871268928/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=13 Jan 1972, 13 – The Buffalo News at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=January 13, 1972 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> He coached the final 37 games for the Sabres. Imlach stepped down as coach after the season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/136828084/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=17 May 1972, Page 47 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1972 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> and Crozier succeeded him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/281487326/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=24 May 1972, 25 – The Daily Journal at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 24, 1972 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> He coached the Sabres to a playoff berth the following season, where the Sabres lost to the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/493207010/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20sabres%20montreal&match=1 |title=13 Apr 1973, 23 – The Vancouver Sun at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=April 13, 1973 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> After finishing his third season with the Sabres out of the playoffs, however, he was replaced by [[Floyd Smith (ice hockey)|Floyd Smith]] after the [[1973–74 NHL season|1973–74 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/434566715/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22floyd%20smith%22&match=1 |title=24 May 1974, 25 – El Paso Times at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 24, 1974 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

Upon leaving the Sabres, he became the general manager of the [[Vancouver Blazers]] in the [[World Hockey Association]] in [[1974–75 WHA season|1974–75]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/495566842/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20blazers&match=1 |title=4 May 1974, 22 – The Leader-Post at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 4, 1974 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The team relocated in 1975, becoming the [[Calgary Cowboys]], and Crozier signed a new five-year contract as coach and general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/481324577/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20calgary%20cowboys&match=1 |title=7 May 1975, 1 – Calgary Herald at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 7, 1975 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> In [[1975–76 WHA season|1975–76]], Crozier made it to the semi-finals with the Cowboys, but lost to the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|Winnipeg Jets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/482258335/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20cowboys%20jets&match=1 |title=3 May 1976, 43 – Calgary Herald at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 3, 1976 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> In his third and final season with the Blazers-Cowboys franchise, in which Calgary failed to make the playoffs, Crozier dumped the team's spare hockey sticks from the bench onto the ice during a game in protest of a disputed call. Another incident with the Cowboys involves a mishap while trying to return to Calgary after a game against the [[San Diego Mariners]]. The pilot had failed to refuel and there was not enough gas to return home. Although Crozier asked the team to collectively pitch in, they still did not have enough money. The team was bailed out by their play-by-play announcer who used his wife's [[Texaco]] card to front the $1,500 bill.<ref name=mhhof/> During his stint with the franchise, Crozier also rose to the position of general manager.<ref name=mhhof/>

In [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]], Crozier was named to coach the Maple Leafs in the NHL. However, the Leafs started with 13 wins in the first 40 games. After a five-game losing streak in January, Crozier was replaced mid-season with [[Mike Nykoluk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/503383164/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22Mike%20Nykoluk%22&match=1 |title=12 Jan 1981, 14 – The Windsor Star at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=January 12, 1981 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

After his second NHL stint, Crozier joined the [[Kitchener Rangers]] of the major junior [[Ontario Hockey League]] in September 1981 as their coach and general manager, replacing [[Orval Tessier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/727816582/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22Orval%20Tessier%22&match=1 |title=2 Sep 1981, 14 – The Sun Times at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 2, 1981 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The Rangers had just come off a [[Memorial Cup]] final game loss to the [[Cornwall Royals]] the previous season. In his first season with the team, they returned to the Memorial Cup, winning the [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]] as the OHL champion.<ref name=ontario/> The Rangers made it to the [[1982 Memorial Cup]] Final and defeated the [[Sherbrooke Castors]] 7–4 to capture Crozier and the Rangers' first [[Canadian Hockey League]] title.<ref name=memorialcup>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/482966242/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22memorial%20cup%22&match=1 |title=17 May 1982, 26 – Calgary Herald at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1982 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

Coming off their Memorial Cup championship, Crozier and the Rangers finished with a 45–23–2 record in [[1982–83 OHL season|1982–83]], but fell to the [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]] in the third round. After two seasons with the Rangers, Crozier quit following a contract dispute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/738152506/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20sault&match=1 |title=30 Jun 1983, 13 – The Sault Star at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=June 30, 1983 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> He returned to the Rochester Americans for one season, in which they reached the [[1983–84 AHL season#Calder Cup playoffs|1984 Calder Cup]] Final against the [[Maine Mariners (AHL)|Maine Mariners]], but lost in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/137118125/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22calder%20cup%22&match=1 |title=17 May 1984, Page 33 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1984 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Crozier then retired after the 1983–84 season. Crozier was inducted into the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1985 for his efforts.<ref name=mhhof/> He was elected to the American Hockey League Hall of Fame, Class of 2012, for his career as a player and coach.<ref>{{cite web|author=Michigan |url=https://www.mlive.com/griffins/2011/11/ahl_names_four_to_2011_hall_of.html |title=AHL names four to 2011 Hall of Fame class |publisher=mlive.com |date=November 10, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

==Coaching record==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="7"|Regular Season !!|Post Season
|-
! G !! W !! L !! T !! OTL !! Pts !! Finish !! Result
|- 
![[Buffalo Sabres|BUF]] (NHL)||[[1971–72 NHL season|1971–72]]
|36||8||19||9||-||(51)||6th in East||Did not qualify
|-
![[Buffalo Sabres|BUF]] (NHL)||[[1972–73 NHL season|1972–73]]
|78||37||27||14||-||88||4th in East||Lost in quarter-finals (2–4 vs. [[Montreal Canadiens|MTL]])
|-
![[Buffalo Sabres|BUF]] (NHL)||[[1973–74 NHL season|1973–74]]
|78||32||34||12||-||76||5th in East||Did not qualify
|-
![[Vancouver Blazers|VAN]] (WHA)||[[1974–75 WHA season|1974–75]]
|78||37||39||2||-||76||4th in Canadian||Did not qualify
|-
![[Calgary Cowboys|CGY]] (WHA)||[[1975–76 WHA season|1975–76]]
|80||41||35||4||-||86||3rd in Canadian||Won in quarter-finals (4–1 vs. [[Quebec Nordiques|QUE]]) <br> Lost in semi-finals (1–4 vs. [[Winnipeg Jets (1972-96)|WPG]])
|-
![[Calgary Cowboys|CGY]] (WHA)||[[1976–77 WHA season|1976–77]]
|81||31||43||7||-||69||5th in West||Did not qualify
|-
![[Toronto Maple Leafs|TOR]] (NHL)||[[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]]
|40||13||22||5||-||(71)||5th in Adams||Fired
|-
! colspan="2"|BUF Total ||192||77||80||35||-||189||||2–4 (0.333)
|-
! colspan="2"|TOR Total ||40||13||22||5||-||31||||0–0 (0.000)
|-
! colspan="2"|NHL Total ||232||90||102||40||-||220||||2–4 (0.333)
|-
! colspan="2"|CGY Total ||161||72||78||11||-||155||||5–5 (0.500)
|-
! colspan="2"|VAN Total ||78||37||39||2||-||76||||0–0 (0.000)
|-
! colspan="2"|WHA Total ||239||109||117||13||-||231||||5–5 (0.500)
|}

==Awards and achievements==
'''Playing career'''
* [[Manitoba Junior Hockey League|MJHL]] Second All-Star Team – 1948<ref name="TH1">{{cite book |last1=Diamond |first1=Dan |title=Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League |date=1998 |publisher=Total Sports |location=Pennsylvania State University |isbn=9780836271140 |page=686}}</ref>
* MJHL First All-Star Team – 1949<ref name="TH1"/>
* [[Quebec Senior Hockey League|QHL]] Second All-Star Team – 1954<ref name="TH1"/>
* QHL First All-Star Team – 1957<ref name="TH1"/>

'''Coaching career'''
* [[Calder Cup]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]] championship; [[Rochester Americans]]) – [[1964–65 AHL season|1965]], [[1966–67 AHL season|1967]], [[1967–68 AHL season|1968]]<ref name=legendary/>
* [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]] ([[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] championship; [[Kitchener Rangers]]) – [[1981–82 OHL season|1982]]<ref name=ontario>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/462882543/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22ontario%20hockey%20league%22&match=1 |title=8 May 1982, 16 – The Ottawa Citizen at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 8, 1982 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Memorial Cup]] ([[Canadian Hockey League|CHL]] championship; Kitchener Rangers) – 1982<ref name=memorialcup/>

'''[[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame]]'''
* Inducted for individual efforts – 1985<ref name=timeline>{{cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/hockey/nhl/sabres/2019/02/21/joe-crozier-timeline-ahl-nhl-hockey-rochester-amerks-toronto-maple-leafs-buffalo-sabres-calder-cup/2848043002/ |title=Joe Crozier: A timeline of a life in hockey with Amerks and Sabres |publisher=Democratandchronicle.com |date= |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
* Inducted as part of 1948–49 [[Brandon Wheat Kings]] – 2007<ref name=mhhof/>

'''American Hockey League Hall of Fame''' – 2012<ref name=timeline/>

==Personal life==
Crozier was married twice. He had five children and 11 grandchildren.<ref name=legendary/> His son, [[Greg Crozier|Greg]], also played hockey professionally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/138500972/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20mjhl&match=1 |title=30 Jun 1994, Page 85 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=June 30, 1994 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

Crozier died on October 11, 2022.<ref>[https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-mourn-loss-death-joe-crozier-obituary-october-11-2022/c-336263684 Sabres Hall of Famer Joe Crozier passes away at 93]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{icehockeystats|legends=12377}}

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{{s-sports}}
{{succession box | before = [[Floyd Smith (ice hockey)|Floyd Smith]] | title=[[List of Buffalo Sabres head coaches|Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres]] | years = 1971–74 | after=[[Floyd Smith (ice hockey)|Floyd Smith]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Andy Bathgate]] | title=[[Calgary Cowboys|Head coach of the Vancouver Blazers/Calgary Cowboys]] | years = 1974–77 | after=none}}
{{succession box | before = [[Punch Imlach]] | title=[[List of Toronto Maple Leafs head coaches|Head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs]] | years = 1980–81 | after=[[Mike Nykoluk]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crozier, Joe}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Brandon Wheat Kings players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Sabres coaches]]
[[Category:Calgary Cowboys]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey coaches]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen]]
[[Category:Eastern Hockey League coaches]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Winnipeg]]
[[Category:New Brunswick Hawks]]
[[Category:Quebec Aces (QSHL) players]]
[[Category:Rochester Americans coaches]]
[[Category:Spokane Spokes players]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs coaches]]
[[Category:Vancouver Canucks (WHL) players]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]