Henryk Gruth

Henryk Gruth
Henryk Gruth
Born	2 September 1957 (age 66); Ruda Śląska, POL
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Defenceman
Played for	GKS Tychy (POL); Zürcher SC (NLA)
National team	Poland
Playing career	1978–1993

Henryk Jerzy Gruth (born 2 September 1957) is a former professional defenceman.

One of the best Polish players, Gruth played for GKS Katowice and GKS Tychy in Poland. He spent one season in Switzerland with the Zürcher SC, where he scored seven goals and nineteen assists.

International career

Gruth was member of the Poland men's national ice hockey team for the 1980 Olympics, 1984 Olympics, 1988 Olympics and 1992 Olympics, as well as for 17 World Championships. He holds the record for the most selection to the Polish squad, with 248, as well as the record for the most points (109).

He was inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2006.

Following his playing days, Gruth turned to coaching. In 1996-97, he was head coach of EHC Salzgitter of the 2. Bundesliga in Germany. He had a record of 5-17-2. He was head coach of the ZSC Lions when current head coach Christian Weber was downgraded to the role of assistant of Beat Lautenschlager with the GCK Lions of the NLB.^[1]