CHICAGO – Cliff Koroll, a Chicago Blackhawks legendary hockey player who is Ukrainian Canadian, was recognized for his achievements and community service with a U.S. Congressional Record statement that was dated December 18, 2015, by Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois.
The official statement by Rep. Quigley noted: “…born in Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada, he played his youth hockey for the Saskatoon Wesley’s and helped them win a Provincial Championship… Cliff [who signed with the Blackhawks in 1969] played 11 seasons in the NHL all with the Chicago Blackhawks and became their assistant coach for six seasons.”
As president of the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association, Mr. Koroll is among the former players who give back to the community. The organization has raised more than $1 million in college scholarships for the most deserving Illinois high school hockey players and it supports Ronald McDonald House.
Mr. Koroll is also active with the Chicago Legal Clinic that was founded 34 years ago by Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., and Edward Grossman. The organization provides legal counseling and services for vulnerable populations, including immigrants, the disabled, victims of domestic violence, those facing foreclosure, children in the midst of divorce, consumers with serious debt issues and those confronting urban environmental problems.
A dinner was held at the United Center following a charity hockey match between the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni All-Stars and members of the Chicago Legal Clinic, led by Steve Demitro, president of the Masters Hockey League and captain of the lawyers’ hockey team. Mr. Demitro, who also serves as president of the Ukrainian National Museum board of directors, presented a bound copy of the U.S. Congressional Record to Mr. Koroll.
Also present was NHL Hall of Fame member and Blackhawk legend Denis Savard, Lydia Tkaczuk, president of the Ukrainian National Museum, students from the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Bishop Paprocki, Rep. Quigley and CBS 2 News anchor Rob Johnson.
In the Congressional Record, Rep. Quigley concluded his statement with these words, “Cliff has been inducted into the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame, the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame, the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame, Illinois Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame, the University of Denver Hall of Fame, and the Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating his work and accomplishments.”
Later that evening, the Chicago Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime against the San Jose Sharks.