Frank Ludwig Jerwa (15 March 1909 – 6 August 1992) was a Polish-Canadian professional ice hockey left winger.^[1][2] He played for the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Eagles of the National Hockey League and the Boston Cubs and Vancouver Lions, among others, in the minors.^[1]

Early life

Jerwa was born in Jaworzno, Russian Empire (now Poland) on 15 March 1909 to Frank and Anna Jerwa.^[3][4][1] He had three brothers, Joe, Art, and Steve, all of whom later played hockey, and a sister, Josephine.^[5][6][7][4] The family moved to Bankhead, Alberta in 1911, then to nearby Canmore in 1922.^[8][9] He and his brother Joe played for both the Canmore Miners junior and senior teams during the late 1920s.^[8][10] He played for the Miners junior team between 1927 and 1928 before moving on to the Regina Pats for the 1928–1929 season.^[1][11]

Career

Jerwa signed with the Vancouver Lions in 1929, where he played alongside his brother Joe.^[12][13][14] Jerwa was traded to the Boston Bruins in April 1931 and again played with his brother.^[15][16] His debut came against the Montreal Maroons on November 14, 1931, but it wasn't until February 4, 1932, against the New York Americans, where he scored a goal and made an assist, that he earned any points.^[11][17] He played 65 games with the Bruins but spent most of his time in Boston with the Boston Cubs, with whom he played 101 games.^[1][18]

He and Gene Carrigan were both traded in January 1935 to the St. Louis Eagles, though his start was delayed due to a broken arm.^{[11][19] [20]} He and Joe Lamb hold the title for fastest two goals in the Eagles franchise at 14:50 and 14:53 on March 12, 1935.^[21] He played 16 games before the club was disbanded; he returned to the east coast in October 1935, this time for the New Haven Eagles, a Bruins affiliate.^{[22][18][1][23][24]} After 45 games there, he briefly played for the Vancouver Lions, then went to the Springfield Indians for 35 games in November 1936.^[25][26] That year, he also played for the Can-Am All-Star team. In 1937, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, played 88 games, and finished his career as a member of the Lions once more from November 1939 to 1941.^[27] He played 140 total career games with the Lions.^[18][1] He retired from professional hockey in October 1941.^[28]

Later life

After leaving the professional hockey circuit, he settled in Vancouver and played in the British Columbia Hockey League with St. Regis.^[29][4] He died on 6 August 1992 in Penticton, British Columbia.^[30] He was survived by his wife Frances Ella, daughter Shirley, 3 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.^[30] Frances died in 2002.^[31]

Career statistics

References