Garth Rizzuto

Garth Alexander Rizzuto (born September 11, 1947 in Trail, British Columbia) is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association during the early 1970s.

A hard-working center, Rizzuto came up through the system of the Chicago Blackhawks playing for the junior Moose Jaw Canucks, turning pro in 1967. He spent three solid years in the minors with the Dallas Black Hawks, but never saw an NHL game in Chicago. In the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft he was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks.

Rizzuto spent most of the 1970–71 season on the Canucks' roster as a utility player, recording 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 37 games. He is probably most notable for being the first player born and trained in British Columbia to suit up with the Canucks or score for the team. He would fall out of the teams plans, however, and spend the entire 1971–72 season in the minors.

For the 1972–73 season, Rizzuto signed on with the Winnipeg Jets of the rival upstart World Hockey Association. He would have his best professional season, recording 10 goals and 20 points, helping a team led by Bobby Hull to the Avco Cup finals. In 1973–74, however, his role would be reduced and he finished with just 3 goals and 7 points in 41 games. After a brief stint in the Western International Hockey League, he retired in 1975.

In the NHL Rizzuto played in 37 games and scored 3 goals and 4 assists. In the WHA he scored 13 goals and 14 assists in 102 games.