{{short description|Polish-Canadian ice hockey defenseman}} {{Infobox ice hockey biography | name = Joe Jerwa | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date|1907|1|20|df=y}} | birth_place = Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire | death_date = {{death date and age|1983|4|11|1907|01|20|df=yes}} | death_place = Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 185 | position = Defence | shoots = Left | played_for = New York Rangers<br>Boston Bruins<br>New York Americans | career_start = 1928 | career_end = 1942 }} '''Joseph Charles Jerwa''' (22 January 1907 – 11 April 1983) was a Polish-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and New York Americans between 1930 and 1939.<ref name=ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/j/jerwajo01.html|title=Joe Jerwa|date=n.d.|publisher=Hockey Reference|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref> He was the first Polish-born player in NHL history.<ref name=blueline>{{cite web|url=https://bluelinestation.com/2022/01/20/january-20-new-york-rangers-history-broadway-bernie-arrives-2/|title=January 20 in NYR history: Broadway Bernie arrives & happy B-day Reavo|last=Paulus|first=Steve|date=2022-01-20|publisher=Blue Line Station|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/history-makers-11-players-who-became-the-first-nhlers-from-their-respective-countries|title=HISTORY MAKERS: 11 PLAYERS WHO BECAME THE FIRST NHLERS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES|date=2017-07-31|last=Clinton|first=Jared|access-date=2022-04-11|publisher=The Hockey News}}</ref>
==Early life== Jerwa was born in Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire, on 22 January 1907 to Frank and Anna Jerwa.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Jerwa|date=1971-03-05|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/481272101/?terms=frank%20jerwa%20survived%20by&match=1|work=Calgary Herald|location=Calgary, AB|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=brothers/><ref name=ref/> He had three brothers, Frank, Art, and Steve, all of whom later played hockey, and a sister, Josephine.<ref name=stats/><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Briquetters hit old-time form|date=1942-11-13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/729041256/?terms=steve%20jerwa&match=1|work=The Calgary Albertan|location=Calgary, Alberta|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Ralph|title=Sport O Scope Candid Comment|date=1936-12-16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/480953906/?terms=steve%20jerwa&match=1|work=Calgary Herald|location=Calgary, Alberta|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Marra|date=1981-03-30|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/482701342/?terms=steve%20jerwa&match=1|work=Calgary Herald|location=Calgary, Alberta|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=brothers>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Tops in markmanship|date=1965-07-17|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/481373287/?terms=coach%20jerwa&match=1|work=Calgary Herald|location=Calgary, Alberta|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The family moved to Bankhead, Alberta in 1911, then to nearby Canmore in 1922.<ref name=legends>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2015/08/frank-jerwa-and-joe-jerwa.html|title=Frank Jerwa and Joe Jerwa|date=2015-08-01|publisher=Greatest Hockey Legends|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref><ref name=obit>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Jerwa|date=1971-03-05|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/481272101/?terms=steve%20jerwa&match=1|work=Calgary Herald|location=Calgary, Alberta|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He and his brother Frank played for both the Canmore Miners junior and senior teams during the late 1920s.<ref name=legends/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.quanthockey.com/hockey-stats/en/profile.php?player=2759|title=Joe Jerwa|date=n.d.|publisher=QuantHockey|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref>
==Career== Jerwa's hockey career started during the 1928–29 season with the Vancouver Lions in the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL).<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Frank Patrick signs lilkely young players|date=1928-10-27|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/505499108/?terms=%22joe%20jerwa%22%27%20lions&match=1|work=Times Colonist|location=Victoria, BC|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He played 77 games with them between 1928 and 1930 before being traded to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) along with Red Beattie for $25,000.<ref name=gods>{{cite web|url=https://hockeygods.com/images/17717-Joe_Jerwa_1936_Boston_Bruins|title=JOE JERWA 1946 BOSTON BRUINS|publisher=HockeyGods|access-date=2022-04-11|date=2019-03-10}}</ref><ref name=minor>{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorhockey/stats/p-jerwajoe001|title=Joe Jerwa|date=n.d.|publisher=Stats Crew|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref> He played nine games for the Rangers' Can-Am affiliate, the Springfield Indians, before being recalled in December 1930.<ref name=minor/><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Joe Jerwa stars as Indians win|date=1930-12-05|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/499319489/?terms=%22joe%20jerwa%22%20springfield%20indians&match=1|work=The Province|location=Vancouver, BC|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Hockey standings|date=1930-12-22|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/469170777/?terms=%22joe%20jerwa%22%20springfield%20indians&match=1|work=Edmonton Journal|location=Edmonton, AB|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> His NHL debut was on March 17, 1931, in the Rangers' game against the Ottawa Senators, where he recorded an assist with a pass to Butch Keeling during the second period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/player/joe-jerwa-8447056?stats=gamelogs-r-nhl&season=19301931|title=Joe Jerwa #2|date=n.d.|publisher=NHL|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Parrott|first=Harold F.|title=Rangers get a cup, but not the right one|date=1931-03-18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/59841437/?terms=%22Joe%20Jerwa%22&match=1|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|location=Brooklyn, NY|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He played 37 games for New York during the 1930–31 season.<ref name=stats>{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/hockey/stats/p-jerwajo01|title=Joe Jerwa|date=n.d.|publisher=Stats Crew|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref>
In 1931, he was traded from the Rangers to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Dutch Gainor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blackngoldhockey.com/2020/04/10/bruins-alumni-happy-birthday-dutch-gainor/|title=Bruins Alumni: Happy Birthday Dutch Gainor|date=2020-04-10|last=Lindroth|first=Andrew|publisher=Black & Gold Hockey Podcast|access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref> The following year, the Bruins traded Red Beattie for Jerwa's brother Frank.<ref name=legends/> Between 1931 and 1935, he played 172 games for the Boston Cubs.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Joe Jerwa scores for Boston Cubs|date=1933-03-17|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/500598562/?terms=%22joe%20jerwa%22%20boston%20cubs&match=1|work=The Province|location=Vancouver, BC|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=minor/><ref name=gods/> In 1935, after 39 games with the Bruins, he was traded along with Nels Stewart to the New York Americans.<ref name=gods/><ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Victor O.|title=Stewart is sold to the Amerks|date=1931-03-18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/431950458/?terms=%22Joe%20Jerwa%22%20%22russia%22&match=1|work=The Boston Globe|location=Boston, MA|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=stats/> Though he briefly returned to the Bruins in 1936 due to an incomplete contract, he was sent back to the Americans on loan for Al Shields and future considerations for Terry Reardon and Tom Cooper in 1937.<ref name=gods/> He played 175 games with the Americans until being traded to the Cleveland Barons in 1939, where he played 147 games.<ref name=minor/><ref name=gods/> He retired in 1942, after being advised by doctors to quit playing due to irreparable tears in his groin muscles.<ref name=legends/><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Joe Jerwa, vet defense player, quits Cleveland|date=1942-02-15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/560241199/?terms=%22Joe%20Jerwa%22&match=1|work=Sunday News|location=Lancaster, PA|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Snapshots on sport in Canada|date=1942-11-13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/729038879/?terms=%22Joe%20Jerwa%22&match=1|work=The Kingston Whig-Standard|location=Kingston, ON|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Just weeks before his retirement was announced, he was selected to play in the second-ever AHL All-Star Game on the western team.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=American League All-Star Teams Announced for Game on Feb. 3|date=1942-01-31|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/419866095/?terms=%22Joe%20Jerwa%22&match=1|work=The Gazette|location=Montreal, Quebec|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Later life== Following his retirement from playing, Jerwa settled in Vancouver and worked as a longshoreman.<ref name=joeobit/> In 1932, during his time with the Cubs, he married Ethel Melria "Millie" Haynes in Montreal and the couple had two children.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Shower for Bride-Elect|date=1932-11-25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/728797343/?terms=%22joseph%20jerwa%22%20wedding&match=1|work=The Calgary Albertan|location=Calgary, AB|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Jerwa died on April 11, 1983, aged 75, in Coquitlam, British Columbia.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Joe Jerwa dead at 75|date=1983-04-13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/501462997/?terms=%22Joe%20Jerwa%22&match=1|work=The Province|location=Vancouver, BC|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He was survived by his wife, children Jerry and Joan, and five grandchildren.<ref name=joeobit>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Jerwa|date=1983-04-13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/494035395/?article=65f41abf-5c5d-4da3-9060-76f4fad9606c|work=The Vancouver Sun|location=Vancouver, BC|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Millie died in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated-->|title=Jerwa|date=1993-11-05|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/495709033/?terms=%22jerwa%22&match=1|work=The Vancouver Sun|location=Vancouver, BC|access-date=2022-04-11|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 1927–28 | Canmore Miners | ASHL | — || — || — || — || — | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1928–29 | Vancouver Lions | PCHL | 35 || 8 || 5 || 13 || 72 | 3 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 6 |- | 1929–30 | Vancouver Lions | PCHL | 35 || 12 || 6 || 18 || 76 | 4 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1930–31 | New York Rangers | NHL | 3 || 4 || 7 || 11 || 72 | 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 |- | 1930–31 | Springfield Indians | Can-Am | 9 || 8 || 0 || 8 || 26 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1931–32 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 8 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 1931–32 | Boston Cubs | Can-Am | 31 || 7 || 15 || 22 || 116 | 5 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 27 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1932–33 | Boston Cubs | Can-Am | 39 || 10 || 18 || 28 || 108 | 7 || 4 || 2 || 6 || 22 |- | 1933–34 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1933–34 | Boston Cubs | Can-Am | 37 || 4 || 8 || 12 || 101 | 5 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 28 |- | 1934–35 | Boston Cubs | Can-Am | 44 || 21 || 17 || 38 || 95 | 3 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 20 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1935–36 | New York Americans | NHL | 47 || 9 || 12 || 21 || 65 | 5 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 2 |- | 1936–37 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 26 || 3 || 5 || 8 || 30 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1936–37 | New York Americans | NHL | 20 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 27 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 1937–38 | New York Americans | NHL | 48 || 3 || 14 || 17 || 53 | 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1938–39 | New York Americans | NHL | 47 || 4 || 12 || 16 || 52 | 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 |- | 1939–40 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 49 || 4 || 10 || 14 || 61 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1940–41 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 56 || 13 || 22 || 35 || 20 | 4 || 4 || 0 || 4 || 6 |- | 1941–42 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 33 || 1 || 8 || 9 || 18 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 204 !! 29 !! 58 !! 87 !! 309 ! 17 !! 2 !! 3 !! 5 !! 16 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jerwa, Joe}} Category:1907 births Category:1983 deaths Category:Boston Bruins players Category:Boston Cubs players Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen Category:Cleveland Barons (1937–1973) players Category:Ice hockey people from Alberta Category:Emigrants from the Russian Empire to Canada Category:New York Americans players Category:New York Rangers players Category:People from Canmore, Alberta Category:People from Warsaw Governorate Category:Polish ice hockey defencemen Category:Polish ice hockey players Category:Sportspeople from Warsaw Category:Vancouver Lions players