JOE ZANUSSI 
SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS (1967 to 1968)

Rossland's Joe Zanussi made a memorable decision one-day back in l955. Sports being his love, he had to decide between walking to Red Mountain Ski Hill or the local arena. The arena won out and he never looked back. Born in Rossland on September 25, 1947 he retired back to his hometown at the end of his career. 

Rossland is a tiny resort community of 4000 residents but was able to field a BC Juvenile Finalist Team in 1964-65 and Joe experienced his first thrill of playoff hockey. Fortunately, Detroit's Chief Western Scout, Clarence Moher noticed Joe at the finals and subsequently invited him to the Edmonton Oil Kings Rookie camp in 1965-66. He spent this season with the Oil Kings Jr. B Red Wings. In 66/67 Joe was more prominent and was nicknamed "Crazy Legs". He was built like a fire hydrant and was known for his hard hitting. In the off-season of 67/68 Joe was traded to the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Canadian Junior Hockey League and became their first League Captain. The year was productive and on Feb. 23,1968 Joe's parents were invited to Swift Current to be present when Joe Zanussi Nite was celebrated. This season he made the leagues 2nd All Star Team and was picked up by the Flin Flon Bombers to vie for the Memorial Cup against the Niagara Falls Flyers. Although Joe's hockey rights were owned by the Detroit Red Wings he went to training camp and was assigned to the Johnstown Jets of the Eastern Hockey League. After surviving his roughest and toughest year in hockey Joe led his defensive corps in scoring and compiled 56 points on 20 goals & 36 assists. He finally turned Pro in 1969-70 and played with the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Pro Hockey League. His second year in Fort Worth earned him a tie for the League's Most Valuable Player and a berth on the 2nd All Star Team. On awards night he also picked up the Sportsmanship and Best Defenseman Awards. 

The following year, 1971-72, knee surgery put Joe's career on hold, but he was eventually drafted by the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey League. The Jets played for the Leagues Avco Cup Final in its inaugural year. With the team and league taking shape in 1973-74 Joe, nicknamed Tasmanian Devil, capped off the season by being voted Most Exciting Player by Winnipeg Jets Fans. His 3-year contract was cut short, but his NHL rights were now owned by the New York Rangers via a trade with Detroit. 

After the 1974-75 training camp Joe was assigned to Providence Rhode Island Reds of the American Hockey League. This year was a banner year as he was called to the Rangers on numerous occasions. Concluding the year Joe was the recipient of the "Eddie Shore Award" which is the Leagues Best Defenseman. This same season he was selected to the 1st All Star Team and was runner up to the Leagues Most Valuable Player Award. Team honors again included Most Valuable Player and Best Defenseman. 

The fall of 1975-76 brought, at this time, the BIGGEST TRADE IN HOCKEY HISTORY in which Joe Zanussi, Brad Park and Jean Ratelle of the New York Rangers went to the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. When the trade occurred, Joe was the leading scorer in the American Hockey League. The coming year proved to be very unsettling and a year of many moves. Joe went from Boston to Rochester (A.H.L.) then back to Boston and after a trade at Christmas he was sent to the St. Louis Blues then on to the Kansas City Blues of the Central Hockey League. This team took top honors and eventually won the Adams Cup (Central League Championship). Joe attended one more training camp with the St. Louis Blues but was assigned to the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey League. He was voted to the Leagues 1st All Star Team and received the teams Best Defenseman Award. At the conclusion of this season and his contract Joe and his family returned to Rossland. 

Joe and Candy were married for 30 years and raised their 4 boys, Ty, Ryan, Brady and Jay. On March 2, 2000 Candy lost her 10-year battle with cancer. Joe met Marilyn, who lost her husband in a search and rescue plane crash in 1996. They were married on September 25, 2004 and are residing in Warfield, B. C. Marilyn's family includes daughters Jennifer, Jillian and son Jeff, all of whom live in Kelowna. Joe and Marilyn are both retired and enjoying life and their 1st grandchild Avery. Two more grandchildren are due in September. 

CAREER STATISTICS: 

1968-69 Johnstown 
Jets E.H.L. Led defense in scoring 

1970-71 Forth Worth Wings C.H.L. 
Tied for League M.V.P. 
2nd All Star Defense Team M.V.P. 
Team Sportsmanship Award 

1973-74 Winnipeg Jets W.H.L. 
Most Exciting Player-by Fans 

1974-75 Providence Reds A.H.L. 
1st WHA Player to join Rangers 
New York Rangers N.H.L. Eddie Shore Award 
League M.V.P. Runner Up 
First All Star Defenseman 
Team MVP & Defensive Award 

1975-76 Boston Bruins N.H.L. 
Traded to Boston with Brad Park & Jean Ratelle for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais 

1976-77 Kansas City Blues C.H.L. 
Won Adams Cup 

1977-78 Salt Lake Golden Eagles C.H.L. 
First Team All Star 
Best Defenseman Award