Peter Sidorkiewicz
Polish-Canadian goaltender who played for three NHL teams.
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Peter Paul Sidorkiewicz is a Polish-Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, and New Jersey Devils. He represented the Wales Conference in the 1993 NHL All-Star Game and later worked as a coach in the Ontario Hockey League, Austrian Hockey League, and ECHL.
Lore & Background
Sidorkiewicz moved to Oshawa, Ontario, with his family at age three and began playing ice hockey at age 10 after a coach suggested he try it. He played junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 1980 to 1984, winning the Dave Pinkney Trophy and leading the Generals to the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1983. He was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round of the 1981 NHL entry draft but was traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1985 before playing an NHL game for Washington. After several seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Binghamton Whalers, he made his NHL debut with Hartford in 1987 and became the team's starting goaltender in 1989–90.
He was claimed by the Ottawa Senators in the 1992 NHL expansion draft and started the first game in Senators history, earning a win. Despite a poor record, he was selected for the 1993 NHL All-Star Game. He was traded to the New Jersey Devils in 1993.
From Poland to Oshawa — An Unlikely Path to the Net
Peter Paul Sidorkiewicz entered the world on June 29, 1963, in Dąbrowa Białostocka, Poland. His family relocated to Oshawa, Ontario, when he was just three years old, and it was in that small Canadian town that his sporting journey truly took shape. Far from being a natural ice-hockey prodigy, young Sidorkiewicz spent his early years playing softball.
It was only when one of his coaches suggested he give ice hockey a try at the age of ten that the goaltending career began to germinate. He quickly immersed himself in minor hockey in Oshawa, and by 1977 he had already captured an Ontario Bantam Championship, signaling that his late start had not cost him a competitive edge. That early success laid the groundwork for a long run through junior and professional ranks, eventually carrying him to the NHL and a coaching career spanning multiple countries.
Four Seasons with the Oshawa Generals
Sidorkiewicz joined the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League for the 1980–81 campaign, initially seeing limited action with a 3–3–0 record and a 4.68 goals-against average across seven games. His role expanded the following year, and by 1982–83 he had firmly established himself as the Generals' starting goaltender, posting a 36–20–3 record and a 3.61 GAA over 60 games. That season produced the defining moment of his junior career: he helped steer Oshawa to the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL playoff champions, going 15–1–1 with a 3.68 GAA in 17 post-season games.
The Generals advanced to the 1983 Memorial Cup final, where they fell to the Portland Winterhawks after Cam Neely scored a hat trick against him. Despite the loss, Sidorkiewicz earned a spot on the Memorial Cup all-star team alongside teammates Joe Cirella and John MacLean. He and fellow netminder Jeff Hogg also shared the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the OHL's lowest goals-against average.
NHL Breakthrough and the Hartford Years
After being drafted 91st overall by the Washington Capitals in 1981, Sidorkiewicz spent his early professional seasons in the minors before Hartford general manager Emile Francis acquired him in a 1985 trade. He spent several years anchoring the Binghamton Whalers' net in the AHL, where his 2.92 GAA and .889 save percentage in 1986–87 earned him a spot on the AHL's Second All-Star Team.
His NHL debut came on October 16, 1987, when a back injury to Mike Liut forced a recall; he made 30 saves in a 6–2 loss to Washington. The 1988–89 season marked his true arrival: he recorded his first NHL win on October 15, saving 25 of 30 shots in a 7–5 victory over Chicago, and posted his first shutout on December 6 in a 9–0 demolition of Buffalo. Over 44 games he compiled a 22–18–4 record with a 3.03 GAA and four shutouts, earning a place on the NHL All-Rookie Team and finishing fourth in Calder Trophy voting.
Life Beyond the Rink — A Coaching Career Across Borders
After hanging up his skates, Sidorkiewicz transitioned into goaltending instruction, carrying his experience across leagues and continents. He served as a coach for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, the same province where he had grown up and played minor hockey as a boy. His coaching path then took him to Europe, where he worked with Dornbirner EC in the Austrian Hockey League, bringing his knowledge of the net to a completely different hockey culture.
He also coached the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL in North America. His playing résumé, which included stints with the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, and New Jersey Devils, as well as representing the Wales Conference at the 1993 NHL All-Star Game, gave him a broad perspective to draw upon in the coaching booth. Sidorkiewicz's journey from a Polish-born boy who first touched a hockey stick at ten to a multi-league coach reflects a career defined by steady progression and a deep commitment to the game.
Reader's Guide
Sidorkiewicz's NHL career is notable for his role as the starting goaltender for the expansion Ottawa Senators in their inaugural 1992–93 season. Despite a 8–46–3 record and a 4.43 goals against average, he became a fan favorite and represented the Wales Conference in the 1993 NHL All-Star Game, earning the victory. His time with the Hartford Whalers included being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1988–89 after a 22–18–4 season with four shutouts.
He also played for the New Jersey Devils from 1993 to 1998. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, working with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, Dornbirner EC of the Austrian Hockey League, and the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. His career path from a late-starting hockey player to an NHL All-Star and coach illustrates a journey through multiple leagues and roles.
Career statistics and honours
International
Tables copied from the source article, totals included as the source gives them: Wikipedia: Peter Sidorkiewicz (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wide tables scroll sideways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Peter Sidorkiewicz fill on the Devils?
Sidorkiewicz served as a goaltender for New Jersey, stepping in as a backup and emergency option behind the team's primary netminders. Across his NHL career he reached a personal best of 64 games played in a single season.
Where was Peter Sidorkiewicz born?
He came into the world in Dąbrowa Białostocka, Poland, in 1963, which gave him a Polish-Canadian identity that set him apart in the NHL. His background is a frequently noted detail among Devils fans researching his file.
What did Peter Sidorkiewicz do after his NHL playing career?
Sidorkiewicz moved into coaching, taking roles in the Ontario Hockey League, the Austrian Hockey League, and the ECHL. His post-playing work kept him embedded in hockey development across several leagues and countries.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Peter Sidorkiewicz (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Statistics, medals and awards: the tables of the source article.
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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