Gustaf Dale Hendrickson (1940 – January 25, 2024) was an American professional ice hockey player and head coach. He was in charge of the program at Minnesota–Duluth for seven seasons.[1]

Gus Hendrickson
Biographical details
Born1940 (1940)
Eveleth, Minnesota, U.S.
Died (aged 83)
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
Alma materMichigan State University
Playing career
1959–1962Michigan State
Position(s)Defenceman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971–1975Grand Rapids High School
1975–1982Minnesota–Duluth
Head coaching record
Overall110–146–11 (.433) [college]

Career

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Hendrickson was born in 1940.[2] He played for Michigan State for three seasons in the early 1960s, helping the team to a third-place finish in the WCHA tournament during his final year of eligibility. After leaving East Lansing Hendrickson found his way behind the bench at Grand Rapids High School. After building a successful program he accepted the post at Minnesota–Duluth, taking his assistant Mike Sertich along for the ride.[3] Hendrickson built the program slowly, finishing out of the playoffs in each of his first two seasons before positive results started to show. By his fourth year it appeared that Hendrickson had the Bulldogs primed to take the next step; led by future Olympic gold medalists Mark Pavelich and John Harrington Minnesota–Duluth compiled their second 20+ win season in program history and achieved a #1 national ranking for a time. Unfortunately for Hendrickson the team slumped after 1978–79 posting losing records in each of the next three seasons. He was let go in 1982 and replaced by his assistant, Sertich.[4]

Hendrickson died on January 25, 2024, at the age of 83.[5]

Head coaching record

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College

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs (WCHA) (1975–1982)
1975–76 Minnesota–Duluth 15–21–0 12–20–0 t-7th
1976–77 Minnesota–Duluth 9–26–2 6–24–2 10th
1977–78 Minnesota–Duluth 14–22–1 12–19–1 t-7th WCHA First Round
1978–79 Minnesota–Duluth 22–14–4 18–10–4 t-3rd WCHA Second Round
1979–80 Minnesota–Duluth 17–21–0 15–17–0 6th WCHA First Round
1980–81 Minnesota–Duluth 17–21–1 11–17–0 8th WCHA First Round
1981–82 Minnesota–Duluth 16–21–3 9–16–1 5th WCHA First Round
Minnesota–Duluth: 110–146–11 83–123–8
Total: 110–146–11

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

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  1. ^ "Gus Hendrickson Year-by-Year Coaching Record". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  2. ^ Gus Hendrickson Hockey Stats and Profile
  3. ^ "MINNESOTA DULUTH STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE - BULLDOGS". Vintage Minnesota Hockey. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  4. ^ "UMD, Ohio State men's hockey series will reunite coaches". Duluth News Tribune. 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  5. ^ "Former UMD Men's Hockey Coach Gus Henderson Passes Away at Age 83". umdbulldogs.com. January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
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