Brother-in-law: Josef Puschnig
© Photo: Eggenberger/Valentin
Cult/Star player for EC-KAC
The Westlock, Alberta, native Adelbert 'Del' Saint John was the first Canadian hockey player to be naturalized in Austria in 1962. Back then, he led the Wiener EV to the Austrian championship title, which actually remained the last one for a team from the capital for 43 years. Also, he scored an incredible 25 points in 5 games for the Austrian national team at the WC B in Denver, Colorado.
'Del' John then joined the Klagenfurter AC, managing to win the championship title in every one of the first six seasons of the league which had been established in 1965. He was the league's topscorer in 65/66, 67/68 and 68/69 and also finished the seasons 65/66 and 67/68 as the player who scored the most goals. Over the course of the following years, Saint John acted as playing coach in Salzburg, Innsbruck and Villach, where he finished his active career at the age of 47(!). From 1965 to 1979, he played 284 league games in which he collected 352 points (203 goals, 149 assists) and 217 penalty minutes. Furthermore, he represented the Austrian national team in 59 international matches adding up to a stunning 85 points (52 goals, 33 assists).
(by Hannes Biedermann)