Anthony Francis Voce[1] (October 30, 1980 – July 8, 2024) was an American professional ice hockey player. Voce was the first Philadelphia native to play for the Philadelphia Flyers organization.[2]

Playing career

Voce played college hockey at Boston College. In his four years there, he recorded 90 goals and 77 assists to go along with 207 penalty minutes. As a senior, he finished second in the nation in goals in the NCAA, and for the second time (also as a sophomore) was awarded the Norman F. Bailey Award as team MVP. In addition, he was named to the All-Hockey East First Team and was an AHCA First Team All-American.

After being signed as an undrafted free agent by his hometown team, the Philadelphia Flyers, he was sent to their minor league affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms.[2] Voce was a member of the 2004–05 Calder Cup winning Philadelphia Phantoms team. He became one of the team's top goal-scorers, totaling 50 goals in two years as a member of the Phantoms before being loaned to Grand Rapids.[3]

Voce left North America to sign with Ilves of the SM-liiga for the 2007–08 season.[4] He was released after playing five games for them.[5] Three days later, he signed with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).[6]

On March 17, 2008, he signed with the DEL's Straubing Tigers and transferred November 28, 2008 to EC Graz 99ers of the Erste Bank Hockey League.[7] After two weeks in Austria, he was released by the team.[8]

Death

Voce died of a heart attack on July 8, 2024, at the age of 43.[9][10][11]

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2000–01Boston CollegeHE4212142640—————
2001–02Boston CollegeHE3826224865—————
2002–03Boston CollegeHE3723234656—————
2003–04Boston CollegeHE4229184748—————
2004–05Philadelphia PhantomsAHL732217398540004
2005–06Philadelphia PhantomsAHL6728275587—————
2006–07Philadelphia PhantomsAHL418132144—————
2006–07Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL2546103773256
2007–08IlvesLiiga50226—————
2007–08Grizzlys WolfsburgDEL4113152864—————
2008–09Graz 99ersEBEL621320—————
2009–10Ontario ReignECHL5823163969—————
AHL totals20662631252531132510

Awards and honors

AwardYear
Hockey East All-Tournament Team2001[12]
All-Hockey East First Team2001–02
2003–04
AHCA East First-Team All-American2003–04

References

  1. ^ "Anthony "Tony" Francis Voce (October 30, 1980 – July 8, 2024)". Life Celebration. John F. Givnish Funeral Home. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "Flyers Sign Tony Voce to Contract". Philadelphia Flyers. July 13, 2004. Archived July 15, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  3. ^ "Griffins Add Firepower From Philly". OurSports Central. February 19, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "Tony Voce Ilveksen testiin" [Tony Voce for the Ilves test] (in Finnish). Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta. September 29, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  5. ^ "Tony Voce ei jatka Ilveksessä" [Tony Voce will not continue in Ilves] (in Finnish). Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta. October 17, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Grizzly Adams verpflichten Tony Voce" [Grizzly Adams sign Tony Voce]. Grizzly Adams Online. October 18, 2007. Archived October 19, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Tony Voce nach Graz
  8. ^ Motherwell und Jakobsen zurück - Voce wurde entlassen!
  9. ^ "Remembering Tony Voce, an adored 'Philadelphia hockey specimen'". NBC Sports Philadelphia. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  10. ^ Former Boston College Hockey Player Tony Voce Passes Away at 43
  11. ^ Tony Voce was the first Philadelphian to sign with the Flyers. His sudden death allowed his family to know he found his purpose. (subscription required)
  12. ^ "2013-14 Hockey East Media Guide". Hockey East. Retrieved 2014-05-19.