Bob Woytowich

Robert Ivan Woytowich (August 18, 1941 – July 30, 1988) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman whose professional career spanned the National Hockey League from 1964 to 1972 and the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976. He began his NHL career with the Boston Bruins in 1964 and went on to play for the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings. After the 1972 season he left for the World Hockey Association, where he suited up for the Winnipeg Jets and the Indianapolis Racers.

During his time in Pittsburgh, Woytowich became a favorite of Penguins fans, who formed a club called Woytowich's Polish Army in recognition of his Polish descent. The group camped in the upper reaches of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena during weekday home games and filled an entire section on Saturdays. Membership did not require Polish ancestry — only the price of a general admission ticket, with the lone rule being that members were forbidden from saying anything nice about Penguins opponents.

On July 30, 1988, Woytowich suffered a heart attack while driving his car near Winnipeg, and the car was involved in an accident. He was 46.