Legendary Boston College hockey coach and player Len Ceglarski, winner of 419 games as coach at The Heights and a member of the 1949 national championship team, died Saturday morning. He was 91 years old.
Ceglarski is the ninth-winningest coach in NCAA college hockey history, having amassed a career record of 673-339-38.
The East Walpole native started his coaching career at Clarkson University in 1958 before taking over for his alma mater in 1972. In 14 seasons at Clarkson, Ceglarski finished with a 254-97-10 record and guided the Golden Knights to four NCAA Tournament berths and their first ECAC Tournament title. Ceglarski also guided Clarkson to three national championship games, in 1962, 1966, and 1970.
Ceglarski assumed the Eagles’ head coaching position at the start of the 1972-73 season, taking over for John “Snooks’’ Kelley. Ceglarski went on to post a record of 419-272-27 in 20 seasons as coach at Boston College.
Ceglarski led his BC teams to eight NCAA Frozen Fours, four NCAA title games, six Hockey East regular-season championships (in eight years), and two Hockey East Tournament titles.
When Ceglarski retired at the end of the 1991-92 season, he left as the winningest coach in the game. He is currently ninth on the all-time list, and is BC’s third-winningest coach behind Snooks Kelley (501) and current coach Jerry York (575).
Upon retirement, Ceglarski joined an elite group when he was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Boston College Hall of Fame member (1974) was an All-America player who helped the program capture its first national title in 1949. He was BC’s captain as a senior in 1950-51. Ceglarski also was a standout second baseman for BC’s baseball program.
Hockey East named its sportsmanship award after Ceglarski in 1992.
In 1990, Ceglarski won the Lester Patrick Trophy, an annual award presented for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. He also collected three Spencer Penrose Trophies in 1965-66, 1972-73, and 1984-85, given to the national coach of the year.
Ceglarski also was a member of the US Olympic hockey team that won the silver medal at the 1952 Games in Oslo.
Details on funeral arrangements will be made available shortly.
