Rod Buskas was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on December 14, 1960, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Buskas began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Victoria Cougars in 1977. He played with the Cougars for three seasons before moving on to play for the Portland Winterhawks in 1980.
In 1982, Buskas was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Canucks during the 1983-84 season and played with the team for four seasons. During his time with the Canucks, Buskas was known for his physical play and his ability to block shots.
In 1987, Buskas was traded to the Minnesota North Stars, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the San Jose Sharks during their inaugural season in 1991-92. Buskas finished his NHL career with the Dallas Stars during the 1992-93 season.
Throughout his NHL career, Buskas played in a total of 449 games, scoring 10 goals and 49 assists for a total of 59 points. He also accumulated 1,027 penalty minutes, demonstrating his physical style of play.
After retiring from professional hockey, Buskas remained involved in the sport as a coach. He served as an assistant coach for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers from 1994 to 1996 and then became the head coach of the BCHL's Chilliwack Chiefs from 1996 to 1998.
In addition to his coaching career, Buskas also worked as a scout for the NHL's Nashville Predators from 1998 to 2007. He then worked as a scout for the WHL's Prince George Cougars from 2007 to 2010.
Overall, Rod Buskas had a successful career as a professional hockey player, known for his physical play and defensive skills. He continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and scout after his playing days were over.
🏒