The Family Business

Twenty-five years ago the Boston Garden echoed with the name of "Bucyk" as NHL great Johnny "Chief" Bucyk led the Bruins on the ice.

In the 1984 Beanpot, Bucyk will once again echo through the Garden. The Chief will be there, but he will sit in the stands. The object of his attention--nephew Randy, the captain of the Northeastern Huskies.

Center Randy claimed the Frank Jones Award last year, an honor voted annually to the best defensive forward in New England by the region's sportswriters. Northeastern Coach Fern Flaman describes Bucyk as one of the nation's top two-way players this season.

"He's one of the mainstays of the team," says Flaman. "He does a very good job both offensively and defensively." He goes on to predict that Bucyk will win the Jones award again for the 1983-84 campaign.

At the offensive end, Bucyk is no slouch, either, having accumulated seven goals and seven assists in 19 games thus far. These points have boosted his career total to 102, making him one of only 19 players in Northeastern's 50-year hockey history to pass the century mark.

Bucyk is the Huskies' man in the clutch. He tied for the team lead in game-winning goals last year. He plays on the power play and leads the short-handed unit. Killing penalties doesn't bring Bucyk headlines, but the Huskies count on him to carry them through when they really need him. And Bucyk rarely disappoints.

The Edmonton, Alberta, native was introduced to the game as soon as he could walk and quickly developed his team-first, never-say-die attitude.

At Queen Elizabeth High School in Edmonton, he led his team in scoring and won the MVP award in his senior year. His impressive high school play caused him to be sought after by Harvard, Princeton and Yale.

Bucyk decided to attend Northeastern because he felt that the school offered "the best blend of education and sports" and because he appreciates Boston's enthusiasm for hockey.

One of Bucyk's fondest memories is of scoring in the 1983 Beanpot. "He always tries a bit harder in the Beanpot," says Flaman, a former pro who played 10 years with the Bruins, including some with his captain's uncle.

Chief Bucyk praises the Huskie as well. "He's got the hockey sense, the anticipation, and he's very good around the net."

Randy Bucyk is quick to return the compliment. While the Chief played hockey in Boston, Randy was growing up in Edmonton, and the younger Bucyk rarely got to see his relative play. Nonetheless, Randy recalls, "I always followed what he was doing. I'd still love to be able to do what he did.

At Queen Elizabeth High School in Edmonton, he led his team in scoring and won the MVP award in his senior year. His impressive high school play caused him to be sought after by Harvard, Princeton and Yale.

Bucyk decided to attend Northeastern because he felt that the school offered "the best blend of education and sports" and because he appreciates Boston's enthusiasm for hockey.

One of Bucyk's fondest memories is of scoring in the 1983 Beanpot. "He always tries a bit harder in the Beanpot," says Flaman, a former pro who played 10 years with the Bruins, including some with his captain's uncle.

Chief Bucyk praises the Huskie as well. "He's got the hockey sense, the anticipation, and he's very good around the net."

Randy Bucyk is quick to return the compliment. While the Chief played hockey in Boston, Randy was growing up in Edmonton, and the younger Bucyk rarely got to see his relative play. Nonetheless, Randy recalls, "I always followed what he was doing. I'd still love to be able to do what he did.