The Jack Parker Era: Had a Positive Impact Here

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the retirement of Boston University hockey coach Jack Parker after 40 years at the helm of the Terriers’ highly successful program. Parker was the coach who offered Mike Eruzione a scholarship to BU after the Winthrop High athlete appeared to be headed to Merrimack College to play hockey. Eruzione had a successful career at BU before going on to be the captain of the 1980 U.S.A. hockey team that won the gold medal. Dale Dunbar will tell you how much of a positive influence coach Parker was on his collegiate career, laying the foundation to Dale’s professional career that took him all the way to the NHL. Chucky Sullivan, who won a Super Bowl and state baseball title and was a hockey star at Winthrop High, went on to excel in Parker’s hockey program at BU. Winthrop’s Nicky Gillis scored one of the most memorable goals in Beanpot history, beating Harvard in overtime. Ricky DiPietro played one phenomenal season at BU before becoming the first goaltender ever drafted No. 1 in the National Hockey League. And we’re sure there are more Winthrop athletes who were influenced in a positive way by this Boston (Coach Parker grew up in Somerville) hockey legend.