Brinkworth Added to RPI Ring of Honor

TROY, N.Y. – Bob Brinkworth, a two-time National All-America First Team forward, will be inducted into the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Hockey Ring of Honor. A 1964 graduate, Brinkworth will become the fifth honoree in a second intermission ceremony on Saturday, November 7.

“We are thrilled to honor Bob and put his name where it rightfully belongs, amongst the best that ever wore the cherry and white,” said current head coach Seth Appert. “I know that playing for RPI meant a great deal to him and this induction is proper recognition for one of our all-time greats.”

Brinkworth played 71 games for the Engineers from 1961 to 1964, leading the team in goals three times, assists once and points twice. He compiled 110 goals and 106 assists for 216 points and currently ranks third in program history in goals, seventh in assists and third in points. He was second in goals and points and third in assists upon graduating in 1964, having led the team to a 44-27-1 (.618) record in his tenure.

A native of Toronto, Ont., Brinkworth had 41 goals, including a school record nine hat tricks, and 30 assists for 71 points in 22 games as a sophomore – his first year eligible to play varsity hockey. He was chosen the ECAC Sophomore of the Year.

He was then named ECAC Player of the Year and All-American following his junior and senior seasons. In his second season, he had 34 goals and 41 assists for 75 points – good for fifth in school history – in 23 games. The next year he had 70 points on 35 goals and 35 assists in 26 games as RPI’s captain.

Brinkworth, a three-time All-ECAC First Team honoree, ranks among the NCAA’s all-time leaders in several categories. He is third in goals per game in a career (1.54), fourth in goals per game in a season (1.86 in 1961-62), fifth in points per game in a career (3.04) and seventh in assists per game in a career (1.49).

Following college, Brinkworth played professionally in the Central Professional Hockey League (CPHL), the American Hockey League (AHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL). He won two Turner Cups in the IHL before retiring in 1974 after nine seasons and 335 points as a pro.

Currently the head coach of the Florida Gulf Coast University club team, Brinkworth has led the team to five national championship appearances since joining FGCU in 2002. He entered this season with a record of 143-40-5-2 after earning the Division 2 National Coach of the Year last season. He and his team will be in the Capital Region the weekend of November 6-7 to play at Siena College in a two-game set.

Brinkworth will join Adam Oates ’85, Joe Juneau ’91, Ned Harkness and Frank Chiarelli ’55 in the Rensselaer Hockey Ring of Honor.