AN ORIGINAL PENGUIN

 KEN SCHINKEL: 1932-2020

Ken Schinkel, who passed away last week, began his National Hockey League career in 1959-60 with the New York Rangers. The previous season, he led all goal-scorers in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Indians. In 70 games with the Indians, he potted 43 goals and 42 assists for 85 points.

When the Boston Bruins held their home opener on October 10, 1959, Schinkel scored his first two goals in the big-show. Unfortunately for Schinkel and the Rangers, they lost to the Bruins by a score of 6-4.

Schinkel had a decent first year with New York as he scored 13 goals in 69 contests and accumulated 29 points. He finished a distant third in voting for the Calder Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's top rookie. Chicago's Bill Hay was the winner and Detroit's Murray Oliver finished in second-place.

Prior to NHL expansion in 1967, Schinkel found himself bouncing between the NHL with New York and the AHL with Springfield and Baltimore. His best season in the AHL came in 1965-66 with the Baltimore Clippers when he registered 75 points - 30 goals & 45 assists - in 72 games.

With the Rangers, Schinkel was unable to repeat the success he experienced in his first season. But like many in the Original Six era, Schinkel got a second chance with the expansion from six to twelve NHL teams.

At the expansion draft, held in Montreal on June 6, 1967, the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Schinkel and he will always be known as an original Penguin.

Early in his time with Pittsburgh, Schinkel showed, that given the right circumstances, he could stick in the NHL. The Penguins brought him onboard with the intention of him being a key element in their development. This time around, he wouldn't be hopping between the NHL and AHL. Unlike with the Rangers, he wasn't fighting for a roster spot, he was a regular front-liner with Pittsburgh.

"I knew there were guys I could beat out," Schinkel said of his experience in New York, and the fact he wasn't considered by the five other teams in the NHL.

His versatility and effectiveness was evident when Pittsburgh hosted the Chicago Black Hawks on October 21, 1967. The Hawks were explosive on offence and were led by Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. In an attempt to curtail Hull from going on a rampage, Pittsburgh coach, Red Sullivan, gave Schinkel the assignment of shadowing Hull.   

In what appeared to be just another game on the NHL schedule, it turned out to be a historic contest. And Ken Schinkel was in the thick of the action. Not only did he keep in step with Hull, he dominated the game and scored three goals in Pittsburgh's 4-2 victory. While Schinkel got the hat trick, Hull managed to score Chicago's second tally late in the third period. 

Billy Reay, the coach of the Hawks, couldn't help but comment on the Hull-Schinkel competition. "Schinkel played against him all night and outscored him 3-1. Give Schinkel all the credit."

For his part, Schinkel wasn't about to put himself on the same level as Hull. "He just wasn't at his game, that's all," Schinkel told reporters. "He's got enough against me."

Pittsburgh's win over Chicago, marked the first time one of the '67 expansion clubs defeated an Original Six team.

And Montreal coach, Toe Blake, took notice of Schinkel's work. Blake, in his capacity as coach of the 1968 All-Star Team, going up against the defending Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs, selected Schinkel as part of his squad. He was the only Penguin chosen by Blake. "I never expected it," was Schinkel's response to being invited to participate in the NHL's showcase of their best talent. It was left to Sullivan to justify Schinkel's trip to Toronto to face the Leafs. He's "the best right wing in our division."

Over his six seasons in Pittsburgh, Schinkel became a reliable player and contributed 99 goals. His best year, goal-wise, was in 1969-70, when he connected for 20. In 1968-69, he hit a career high in points with 52 in 76 games.

Schinkel's career as an active NHL player ended in January 1973, when he replaced Red Kelly as bench boss of the Penguins. "It was a hard decision ... It took a lot of thinking in a very short time," Schinkel said of his instant transition from player to coach. At the age of 40, Schinkel realized his limitations on the ice and he wanted to remain in the game. "I love hockey and I want to be involved as closely as I can. The closest think to being on the ice is coaching."

His first stint as the Penguins' coach came to a close on February 6, 1974, when he was dismissed by general manager, Jack Button. After meeting with Button and learning his fate, Schinkel left with one question - why was he sacked? "He didn't say anything about that," Schinkel reflected.

Despite losing his head coaching job, Schinkel had the game in his blood and made the transition to scouting and player development, first with Pittsburgh, then with the Hartford Whalers. Of note, he returned behind the Penguins' bench as interim coach for a game against the Buffalo Sabres on January 17, 1976. Pittsburgh had ousted their coach, Mark Boileau, who took over when the club dumped Schinkel in 1974. Schinkel had the interim tagged removed prior to the 1976-77 season. He resigned his post after the Penguins lost in the preliminary round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Schinkel stayed in the organization in his old job as director of player personnel.

Via their Twitter account, the Penguins paid tribute to Schinkel: We're deeply saddened by the passing of an original member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ken Schinkel. Schinkel played for the Penguins starting in 1967, but also served as head coach and head scout. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

The Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association also saluted Schinkel on their Twitter account: The Penguins Family lost a beloved member with the passing of Ken Schinkel last night at his home in Florida. "Schink"  was an original Penguin playing in Pittsburgh from 1967-68 to 1972-73, the team's first six seasons in the NHL. In 1973, he retired from play as the Penguins all-time leading scorer. He also served as the Penguins head coach, coaching a total of 203 games during the 1972-73 and 1976-77 seasons. After his coaching career, Ken served as the Penguins head scout for many years. He was an active member of the team's alumni and visited Pittsburgh for many Alumni Charity Golf Classics including the 2009 event honoring all-time coaches; and was honoured as an original Penguin during the Penguins' 50th anniversary celebration in 2016. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Ken's family and friends.

Ken (Kenneth) Calvin Schinkel was born on November 27, 1932, in Jasen, Saskatchewan, Canada. He died on November 20, 2020, in Florida, USA.