Randy Velischek


Randy John Velischek is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League from 1982–83 until 1991–92 for the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Quebec Nordiques. Randy Velischek was drafted 53rd overall by the North Stars in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He played 509 career NHL games, scoring 21 goals and 97 points.
He was also the head coach of the Metropolitan Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League for the 2018–19 season.

Playing career

Velischek was born in Montreal, Quebec. As a youth, he played in the 1974 and 1975 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Mount Royal, Quebec. He spent his junior hockey career with the Lac St-Louis Lions of the Quebec Amateur Hockey Association and the Verdun Éperviers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. After his junior career ended, Velischek played four years of college hockey for the Providence Friars from 1979 to 1983, where he majored in business and French, graduating with honors.
In addition to playing in the NHL, Velischek played professionally in the American Hockey League for the Springfield Indians, Maine Mariners, Halifax Citadels, and Cornwall Aces, the International Hockey League for the Milwaukee Admirals, the Central Hockey League for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, and the British Hockey League for the Durham Wasps.

Life after hockey

From 1995 to 2006, Velischek served as a broadcaster for the New Jersey Devils on ABC Radio and WFAN-AM.
Beginning in 2007–08 school year, Velischek taught at the Pingry School as a German and French teacher and coached middle school ice hockey. On June 11, 2009, Velischeck was hired as the boy's high school ice hockey coach at Morristown-Beard School. Along with coaching at Morristown-Beard School, Velischek was also the hockey director at Twin Oaks Ice Rink in Morristown, New Jersey, and runs RJV Hockey School.
On September 20, 2018, he was named the head coach of the Metropolitan Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League, based of Newark, New Jersey, and the New Jersey Devils' practice facility. He was not retained for the 2019–20 season after the Devils severed ties with the Riveters. Now Velischek serves as the assistant coach for the Northern Highlands Regional High School Ice Hockey Team.

Personal life

Randy's son, Alex Velischek, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round in the 2009 NHL Draft. Like his father, Alex also played four years of college hockey for Providence. Alex also played professional hockey for the Wheeling Nailers, Missouri Mavericks, and Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, as well as the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League. Randy was named hockey director of the Ramapo Saints tier 1,2 & 3 hockey program.In addition to son Alex, Randy has a son Anders and a daughter Abbey.

Career statistics

Awards and honors