Jerry Toppazzini 1931-2012
The American Hockey League and the Sudbury Star are reporting on the passing of former Springfield Kings coach, and hockey legend, Jerry Toppazzini.
Toppazzini was named coach of the Kings when the club moved to the brand new Springfield Civic Center for the 1972-73 season. Topper took over the Kings at a difficult time, as the National Hockey League had embarked on an ambitious expansion plan, while the upstart World Hockey Association had been formed and played their inaugural season in '72-'73. This left many clubs, not just the Kings, with a talent void that made it difficult to put together a successful team.
Both of Toppazzini's seasons at the helm in Springfield, the club finished in the cellar of the Northern Division of the AHL. With a rapidly disillusioned Jack Kent Cooke pushing the buttons from the west coast, it was indeed a difficult time for the Springfield franchise.
Most recently, Jerry accepted his late brother Zellio's induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame, at this year's All Star Weekend.