Wayne Chernecki

Wayne Chernecki (August 12, 1949—February 11, 2013) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player whose career spanned from 1971 to 1975.

Chernecki played junior hockey with the Winnipeg Jets of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). In his final season with the Jets, Chernecki had a breakout performance, finishing among the league's most prolific scorers. He amassed an impressive 123 points, comprising goals and assists, throughout just 65 games.

Chernecki was chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (45th overall) of the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft, but opted to stay with the Jets while completing a business degree. After earning his degree in 1971, he began his professional hockey career, appearing in 263 regular-season games in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Kings and Providence Reds. His playing days were cut short in 1975 due to a significant knee injury.

Following his playing career, Chernecki turned to coaching in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, where he guided the St. James Canadians to back-to-back league championships. Simultaneously, he established himself in the business world, rising to an executive role within David Thomson's corporate network and serving on the board of directors for True North Sports & Entertainment.

Chernecki died on February 11, 2013, at the age of 63 after a battle with esophageal cancer. In recognition of his contributions to the sport in Manitoba, both on the ice and behind the bench, Chernecki was posthumously inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.