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Jay Mazur
Jay Mazur Born in Hamilton in January of 1965, Jay Mazur had a checkered career in major league hockey, bouncing back and forth between the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL and several of its farm clubs. When he was 14, Mazur moved to Ohio with his family. Three years later, he went to the University of Maine, eventually acquiring a degree in physical education. He also played hockey in Maine at this time (1984-1987), and was drafted in the 12th round of the 1983 NHL draft by the Canuck organization. From 1987 until 1982 he played with the Fredericton Express of the IHL, and the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals while taking short trips to Vancouver to play with the Canucks before coming to the newly-formed Hamilton Canucks of the AHL for the 1992-93 season. The right-winger played 36 games for Vancouver in the 1990-91 season, and scored 11 goals. He had some injury issues at the time, and after the 1991-92 season with Milwaukee, he came back to his hometown, but always waiting for the call from Vancouver which never came. ”I was told I would be moved in a month,” Mazur said in a February 1993 interview. “But I don’t want it to be just a minor-league deal. I would like to go to an organization where I would have a chance to play in the NHL.” But Mazur, now 28, was realistic about his future. “If I’m going to play in the minors, this is as good as spot as any,” he said. “My family is settled here and there would be no point in moving from one minor-league team to another.” ”This season I’m playing for myself. I know it’s a team sport, but I feel I can play in the NHL. If not with this organization, then maybe with another one. Just because I’m 28 does not mean I’m over the hill.” Mazur was still waiting for the phone call from Vancouver in January of 1994. “I think I’m going to be sitting right here,” Mazur noted in the first month of 1994 in an interview. “They say there’s no room, but hopefully something will happen with another team next year. Nothing against the Canucks, but I think the door’s still open for me.” Canucks coach Jack McIlhargey was a fan of Mazur, but also hinted that his time in the NHL was over: “Jay’s been around enough years to know what the situation is,” remarked the Hamilton coach. “He’s done whatever he can to help this team and that’s the role he and I talked about on this club. He’s a strong skater and has had a great attitude, and this might be one of the best years he’s had in his career.” After his 40-goal 1993-94 season with Hamilton, Mazur traveled around to several IHL, AHL, and ECHL teams, including Portland, Detroit, and Tallahassee, and went overseas to play in Germany and Italy before retiring from skating in 2001. Mazur began teaching and coaching hockey in Maine, starting in 2003, and also began a career in real estate.
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