Gerry Pinder

Athlete (1994)

Hockey

Gerry Pinder was born in Saskatoon in 1948 and attended school at Buena Vista School. He and his brother, Herb, played for the Canadiens in the Kinsmen Pewee Hockey League.

Gerry joined the Blades in 1965-66 after playing previously with Nutana midgets and the Saskatoon Blade Bees. In his second season, he won the Western Hockey League's most valuable player award, was named to the all-star team and scored 78 goals and 62 assists for 140 points for the league-scoring crown. He was captain of one team in the league's all-star game.

Gerry joined the Canadian National program in 1967-68 even though he had two years of eligibility left as a junior. The Canadians lost two games at the Olympic Games, one to Finland and another to Russia, and while the Russians won the gold, the Canadians settled for bronze.

Gerry signed to play with the Chicago Blackhawks and scored 19 goals in his rookie season. In 1970, the Hawks won the Prince of Wales trophy. He was traded to the California Seals in his third NHL season.

He decided to sign with Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association, had a 30-goal season, and then suffered an eye injury the second season in Cleveland. He later played with San Diego and Edmonton but the eye injury reduced his effectiveness.

He was an avid golfer and competed in the Canadian Amateur championships at Calgary in 1972.