Former CC Player Art Berglund to Retire June 30 after Distinguished Career With USA Hockey
June 2, 2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Art Berglund (Colorado Springs, Colo.), senior director of international administration at USA Hockey, will retire on June 30 after a more than 30-year career with the organization as both a volunteer and member of the national office staff.
Berglund will remain with USA Hockey on a part-time basis as a consultant to the international department.
"Art has played a major role in the growth and development of hockey in the United States," said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. "We thank him for his tremendous service over the years and wish him the very best in his retirement. Let me also say we're very pleased Art has agreed to continue to help us as a consultant on a part-time basis."
Berglund has been involved with USA Hockey since 1973 and officially joined the national office staff in 1984. Before accepting his current position in 1996, he spent 11 years as director of national teams and international activities. He has managed or served on the administrative staff of more than 30 U.S. teams in tournaments across the world, including six Olympic Winter Games.
Berglund played professional hockey in Europe before the legendary William Thayer Tutt hired him to work at the Broadmoor World Arena. In his 13 years at the arena, he managed three U.S. National Teams (1973-75) and in 1976, was general manager of the U.S. Olympic Team.
Berglund was the general manager for eight U.S. National Junior Teams between 1977 and 1992, and from 1985-91, he held the same position with the U.S. Men's National Team. He managed his second U.S. Olympic Men's Team in 1988.
Adding to his impressive resume, Berglund was the assistant general manager for two U.S. entries into the Canada Cup tournament (1981, 1991). He chaired the 1984 U.S. Olympic Player Selection Committee and was director of player personnel for three U.S. Olympic Teams (1992, 1994, 2002), including the silver-medal-winning 2002 squad.
In the 1970s and 80s, Berglund worked in the National Hockey League, serving as a scout for the St. Louis Blues and as director of player recruitment for the Colorado Rockies. In 1992, the NHL awarded Berglund its prestigious Lester Patrick Award, and in September 2004, he was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Berglund, who received the prestigious Jim Fullerton Award from the American Hockey Coaches Association in 2000, is a 1963 graduate of The Colorado College.
"I've truly enjoyed my time at USA Hockey," said Berglund. "It's a great organization with so many terrific people. And while I'm retiring, I'll still be doing whatever I can to help advance the great sport of hockey in the United States."
He and his wife, Char, reside in Colorado Springs, Colo.
NOTES: Berglund will be honored at the President's Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 11, during USA Hockey's Annual Congress in Colorado Springs .... Berglund's position will not be filled. Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's senior director of hockey operations, will assume most of Berglund's responsibilities.
(release courtesy of USA Hockey, Inc.)
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