1960s and 1970s Breck Hockey Alumni Honor Former Breck Coach Dr. Jack Blatherwick

In the winter of 2019, the National Hockey League awarded former Breck educator and coach Dr. Jack Blatherwick the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Over 20 of Jack’s former Breck student-athletes gathered with him at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Washington, D.C. The annual award is one of the most prestigious in hockey.

Dr. Jack Blatherwick is a sports physiologist widely recognized as one of hockey’s top physiologists and innovative thinkers. Jack taught at Breck from 1964-1975, and he was the head coach for the Mustangs for 11 seasons. For his outstanding contribution to Breck athletics, Jack was honored with the Del Carter ’50 Memorial Award. After leaving Breck, Jack (nicknamed "Cardiac Jack”) worked with Herb Brooks to train the famed 1980 gold medal U.S. Olympic hockey team. He later served in a similar capacity with the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, and the University of Minnesota.

Quotes from former students.

"In 1973, I was lucky enough to be part of the Breck Hockey team. Jack Blatherwick was our Head Coach, and David Knoblach was the Assistant Coach. It was a fantastic cast of characters on the hockey team as well as the entire upper school. Jack inspired us to overcome other hockey teams with a ton of depth and talent. The lesson I learned from Jack was not to give up when things get tough. The 1973 season was a magical time to be on the team. I think my teammates will all remember that year, and Jack and David are a huge reason why.” 
 
-Dave Westrum ‘73
 
"In 10th grade, I remember asking Jack during lunch how the penalty kill works. Jack sat down with me and gave me a scientific breakdown about it. The next game, he put me on the ice to kill a penalty in a Varsity game. The opportunity that Jack gave me that day made a big impact on my life. His trust in me built up my confidence and taught me that doing things right for the long run is better than going for the short-term win. His impact on me resonates today in the young athletes that I coach. Coaching and teaching are all about developing life skills—Jack’s legacy lives on.” 
 
-Bob Trench ‘77

Photo Courtesy of Bob Trench '77

Pictured in the First Row: Dr. Jack Blatherwick, Bob Trench, Brian Gerrish, Dave Westrum, Roger Gilbert, John Ware

Pictured in the Second Row: Duane Lee, Jim Cross, Matt Curran, Bob van Slyke, Shepherd Iverson, Jim Rollwagen, Ron Bernhagen

Pictured in the Back Row: Dave Myhre, Whit Wannamaker, Mike Trench, Scott Starrett