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Glensonmor

Glen Robert Sonmor

is a former professional player, scout and coach.

Sonmor was a left winger who played two seasons (1953–1955) in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers. Sonmor was considered a highly physical player known for his fighting abilities, but suffered a career-ending injury to his left eye in 1955 when he was hit by a slap shot from teammate Steve Kraftcheck.

Sonmor coached at various levels in junior ice hockey, at Ohio State University, and at the University of Minnesota. He joined the fledgling Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association as coach and general manager in 1972. Sonmor gave up coaching duties in the middle of the 1972–73 season, but continued as GM. After the original Fighting Saints folded in 1976, the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders moved to St. Paul and changed their name to the New Minnesota Fighting Saints. Sonmor was hired as the New Saints' coach and general manager. The New Saints folded in January 1977. Sonmor later coached the WHA's Birmingham Bulls.

Sonmor was head coach of the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League for four seasons, leading the team to the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose in five games to the New York Islanders.

Sonmor was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2006.


Career Statistics[]

Playing[]

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1945-46 Hamilton Lloyds OHA-Jr 1 0 1 1 0 -- -- -- -- --
1946-47 Hamilton Szabos OHA-Jr Statistics Unavailable -- -- -- -- --
1947-48 Guelph Biltmores OHA-Jr 36 21 15 36 20 -- -- -- -- --
1948-49 Brandon Wheat Kings MJHL 30 18 30 48 40 7 2 5 7 11
Memorial Cup -- -- -- -- -- 18 8 9 17 33
1949-50 Minneapolis Millers USHL 55 17 43 60 25 7 2 4 6 7
1950-51 Cleveland Barons AHL 65 14 35 49 47 11 3 4 7 14
1951-52 St. Louis Flyers AHL 67 24 30 54 32 -- -- -- -- --
1952-53 Cleveland Barons AHL 64 25 26 51 62 11 0 2 2 18
1953-54 New York Rangers NHL 15 2 0 2 17 -- -- -- -- --
Cleveland Barons AHL 31 13 12 25 45 -- -- -- -- --
1954-55 New York Rangers NHL 13 0 0 0 4 -- -- -- -- --
Cleveland Barons AHL 36 11 21 32 34 -- -- -- -- --
NHL Totals 28 2 0 2 21 -- -- -- -- --

Coaching[]

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League Type GP W L T Pts Finish GP W L Results
1958-59 Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Head 70 30 38 2 62 5th DNQ
1965-66 Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Head 16 9 7 0 18 - DNQ
1966-67 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA Head 23 5 17 1 11 8th 1 0 1 Lost 1st Round
1967-68 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA Head 22 13 9 0 26 5th 2 1 1 Lost 2nd Round
1968-69 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA Head 22 11 9 2 24 5th 1 0 1 Lost East Semi
1969-70 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA Head 26 18 8 0 36 1st 2 1 1 Lost East Final
1970-71 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA Head 22 9 12 1 19 5th 2 2 0 Won East
NCAA Head - - - - - - 2 1 1 Lost Final
1971-72 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA Head 28 7 21 0 14 10th DNQ
1972-73 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA Head 59 28 28 3 59 - -
1976-77 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA Head 42 19 18 5 43 - Team Folded
1977-78 Birmingham Bulls WHA Head 77 36 38 3 75 6th 5 1 4 Lost Qtr Final
1978-79 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 69 25 34 10 60 4th Adams DNQ
1979-80 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 80 36 28 16 88 3rd Adams 15 8 7 Lost Semi
1980-81 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 80 35 28 17 87 3rd Adams 19 12 7 Lost Final
1981-82 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 80 37 23 20 94 1st Norris 4 1 3 Lost Div Semi
1982-83 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 43 22 12 9 53 - -
1984-85 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 67 22 35 10 54 4th Norris 9 5 4 Lost Div Final
1986-87 Minnesota North Stars NHL Head 2 0 1 1 1 - -

Managing[]

Season Team League Position Finish Playoffs
1972-73 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA General Manager 4th West Lost W Semi
1973-74 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA General Manager 2nd West Lost W Final
1974-75 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA General Manager 3rd West Lost Semi
1975-76 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA General Manager Team Folded -
1976-77 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA General Manager Team Folded -
1977-78 Birmingham Bulls WHA General Manager 6th Lost Qtr Final

Career Moves[]

  • Traded to Cleveland (AHL) by NY Rangers with Eric Pogue for Andy Bathgate and Vic Howe, November 15, 1954.

Awards & Achievements[]

  • Manitoba Junior Hockey League Assist Leader (1949)
  • Manitoba Junior Hockey League Second All-Star Team (1949)
  • Turnbull Cup Manitoba Junior Hockey League Championship (1949)
  • Abbott Cup Western Canada Junior A Hockey Championship (1949)
  • United States Hockey League Championship (1950)
  • Calder Cup American Hockey League Championship (1951 & 1953)

External links[]

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