ECAC Hockey Release
TROY, N.Y. – As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, ECAC Hockey has comprised its top 50 players to recognize the storied history of the League and honor its significant players. The league announced the first installment of honorees and former Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) standout Bob Brinkworth '64 was among that group.
A two-time National All-America First Team forward, Brinkworth played 71 games for the Engineers from 1961 to 1964, leading the team in goals three times, assists once and points twice. He compiled 110 goals and 106 assists for 216 points and currently ranks third in program history in goals, seventh in assists and third in points. He was second in goals and points and third in assists upon graduating in 1964, having led the team to a 44-27-1 (.618) record in his tenure.
A native of Toronto, Ont., Brinkworth had 41 goals, including a school record nine hat tricks, and 30 assists for 71 points in 22 games as a sophomore – his first year eligible to play varsity hockey. He was the ECAC Sophomore of the Year.
He was then named ECAC Player of the Year and All-American following both his junior and senior years. In his second season he had 34 goals and 41 assists for 75 points – good for fifth in school history – in 23 games. The next year he had 70 points on 35 goals and 35 assists in 26 games as RPI's captain.
Brinkworth, a three-time All-ECAC First Team honoree, ranks among the NCAA's all-time leaders in several categories. He is third in goals per game in a career (1.54), fourth in goals per game in a season (1.86 in 1961-62), fifth in points per game in a career (3.04) and seventh in assists per game in a career (1.49).
Following college, Brinkworth played professionally in the Central Professional Hockey League (CPHL), the American Hockey League (AHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL). He won two Turner Cups in the IHL before retiring in 1974 after nine seasons and 335 points as a pro.
Last November he joined Adam Oates '85, Joe Juneau '91, Ned Harkness and Frank Chiarelli '55 in the Rensselaer Hockey Ring of Honor.
Currently the head coach of the Florida Gulf Coast University club team, Brinkworth has led the team to five national championship appearances since joining FGCU in 2002.
The top 50 players in ECAC Hockey history were determined by a selection committee made up of former coaches and media members. The league will release the names of five players every two weeks throughout the season leading up the championship in March 18-19 in Atlantic City.
