SSHoF logoRichard Van Impe

Athlete (2011)

Hockey

Richard Van ImpeRichard Van Impe played most of his minor and junior hockey in Saskatoon before embarking on a 19-year professional career.

After playing in the Kinsmen Peewee League and with the Wesley midgets, Rich played the Wesley juniors and the Humboldt Indians. He turned professional at 18 with the Winnipeg Warriors.

He also played in the Western Hockey League with New Westminster Royals for two years and then 10 years with the Portland Buckaroos. He played on WHL championship teams with Portland in 1965 and 1972. During the 1967-68 season, he played on the WHL's highest-scoring line alongside two other Saskatonians, Art Jones and Cliff Schmautz. Rich also played in the American League with Rochester Americans and Cleveland Barons, winning a west divisional title with the Barons in 1962.

After retiring from his hockey career, he served as general manager of the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club for 13 years. He now enjoys full retirement as he manages his rental properties.