Jerry Korab
Encyclopedia
Jerry Joseph Korab is a retired Canadian
professional hockey
player. A defenseman, he played in the National Hockey League
from 1971 to 1985.
Nicknamed "King Kong", Korab made a solid reputation for himself in the tough 1970's-era NHL as an imposing physical defenseman. His size gave him a distinct advantage in his own zone, and he also possessed a hard shot and some offensive skill.
Making his NHL debut with the Chicago Black Hawks
in 1970-71
, Korab was asked to simply keep the front of his own net clear, a task he was more than capable of handling. He continued to play the same role for the next two seasons while scoring 12 goals in 1972-73
and helping Chicago reach the Stanley Cup
finals in 1971 and 1973.
Korab's best years were spent on the blueline of the Buffalo Sabres
from 1973 to 1980, where he blossomed into an effective defenseman on one of the best young teams in the league. Korab was a physical presence while hitting double-digits in goals four times, helping the Sabres reach their first Stanley Cup final in 1975. He was picked to play in the 1975 and 1976 NHL All-Star Games
.
Korab was traded to the Los Angeles Kings
on March 10, 1980, for a first round draft choice that Buffalo used to select offensive defenceman Phil Housley
. In 1983 he retired but two months into the season he was offered a chance to make a comeback with the Sabres. He would retire for good after playing 25 games with the Sabres in 1984-85
.
Korab currently owns and operates Korab Inc., a packaging service located in Bellwood, IL.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. A defenseman, he played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
from 1971 to 1985.
Nicknamed "King Kong", Korab made a solid reputation for himself in the tough 1970's-era NHL as an imposing physical defenseman. His size gave him a distinct advantage in his own zone, and he also possessed a hard shot and some offensive skill.
Making his NHL debut with the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
in 1970-71
1970-71 NHL season
The 1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. Two new teams, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks made their debuts and were both put into the East Division. The Chicago Black Hawks were moved to the West Division...
, Korab was asked to simply keep the front of his own net clear, a task he was more than capable of handling. He continued to play the same role for the next two seasons while scoring 12 goals in 1972-73
1972-73 NHL season
-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts-Debuts:...
and helping Chicago reach the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals in 1971 and 1973.
Korab's best years were spent on the blueline of the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
from 1973 to 1980, where he blossomed into an effective defenseman on one of the best young teams in the league. Korab was a physical presence while hitting double-digits in goals four times, helping the Sabres reach their first Stanley Cup final in 1975. He was picked to play in the 1975 and 1976 NHL All-Star Games
National Hockey League All-Star Game
The National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
.
Korab was traded to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
on March 10, 1980, for a first round draft choice that Buffalo used to select offensive defenceman Phil Housley
Phil Housley
Phillip Francis Housley is a former American ice hockey player who played for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs...
. In 1983 he retired but two months into the season he was offered a chance to make a comeback with the Sabres. He would retire for good after playing 25 games with the Sabres in 1984-85
1984-85 NHL season
The 1984–85 NHL season was the 68th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup by beating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one in the final series.-League business:...
.
Korab currently owns and operates Korab Inc., a packaging service located in Bellwood, IL.