Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Shoot: R
Born: 17 Aug 1943, Vita MB
| 
| 
|
Regular Season & Playoff Scoring Record (key)
| year | team | |||||||||||
| 1972-73 | Winnipeg | |||||||||||
| 1973-74 | Winnipeg | |||||||||||
| 1974-75 | Winnipeg | |||||||||||
| 1975-76 | Winnipeg | |||||||||||
| Totals: |
|
Duke for the Defense... • by Vic Grant • The Hockey Spectator • April 6, 1973
The best defenseman bere since Christmas hasn't been Larry Hornung, Joe Zanussi, Bob Ash, Steve Cuddie, or even Bob Woytowich. Would you believe Duke Asmundson? Seven months ago, The Duke wasn't even a defenseman. Norm Beaudin was the best buy Winnipeg Jets made preparing for Year One in the World Hockey Association, Asmundson was second best. Last year at this time, The Duke was down in Des Moines in the International League under the stern eye of Terry Slater, now the stern eye with the Los Angetes Sharks. The Duke is an integral part of the Jet machine now, which isn't bad for a guy who just seven months ago put on a uniform with the odds 70-30 against him keeping it. Asmundson's a Winnipeg boy, born and bred, As a youngster he had all the moves and a starry future was in his crystal ball. He had all the necessary requirements for greatness: size, a shot, he thinks, he passes and he's strong. So why did he spend years of obscurity in the International League? Asmundson came to the Jets last September strictly on the basis of a tryout contract. His chances weren't considered excellent for a permanent position on the team but his chances were good that he'd hang as one of the extra forwards. He became a permanent defenseman. Every player looks at his plus and minus record and when they took at Duke's since Christmas, there isn't a Jet defenseman any better. Asmundson played as a forward through training camp and in the first few exhibition games but Bobby Hull, the coach, saw something of a defenseman in his manner. Hull started using The Duke in the role of a power play rearguard, which for a while was the only time he got on the ice. Then Bob Woytowich was made available, after the legal hangup had been cleared, and he needed a partner to make three even sets of defensemen. Hull nominated Asmundson and he gets all the ice time he wants now. When time is crucial or Jets are killing a penalty, Asmundson is becoming one of those to be relied upon. The move from forward to defense is an adjustment not yet completed, though. Asmundson realized that to stay in this man's league he has to make use of his God-given qualities. "Ever since I put him on defense, or anywhere for that matter, he's always done his utmost," says Hull, "He always tries ... sometimes he fights the puck a little, but he always tries. I just wish I could get him to use his body a bit more. He's a defenseman now and to put things right he should take a crack at that first winger who tries to get away with something in his area. At the moment Asmundson and Woytowich are playing well as far as positional play is concerned, In this game you have to use what you have going for you, and with The Duke it's his size and his strength." Hull showed his confidence by using Asmundson during the learning stage. Now, Asmundson has started to show confidence in himself. The Duke is starting to use his size, all six feet, two inches, and his weight, 194-pounds, to earn the respect of the opposition, He's starting to get the respect. "Perhaps if I had a temper I would have made it in hockey before now," says Asmundson. "As much as I hate to admit it, I don't get mad very often. I guess the disadvantage of being mild-mannered in this game is that the opposition takes advantage of you." "I'm gaining confidence, though, It's confidence when you hit a guy, make a good play or intercept a pass. Your confidence tumbles when you make a mistake. Sometimes the tempo of the game stipulates whether or not you play the body. Other times there are guys you just can't hit for trying. When you try and hit at the wrong time, it's when you get burned and look bad." |
_______________________________________
Home • Book • Credits & Legal Stuff
(c) Scott Surgent