Douglas John Palazzari (born November 3, 1952, in Eveleth, Minnesota) is a former professional ice hockey player and USA Hockey executive. He is the son of former NHL player Aldo Palazzari. Too small to become a regular in the National Hockey League, Doug Palazzari played a total of 108 games for the St. Louis Blues in 1974–79 but he spent most of his professional career in the minors with the Providence Reds, Kansas City Blues and Salt Lake Golden Eagles where he was a major star. Before turning professional, he was an accomplished player for the Colorado College men's ice hockey team and he also played for the United States national team at the 1973 and 1974 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments. Palazzari was also a member of the United States team at the inaugural 1976 Canada Cup.

Palazzari is perhaps best known for his management work for amateur hockey in the United States after retiring from professional hockey in 1982. He was elected executive director of USA Hockey in 1999 after spending 14 years with the organization in various capabilities. He resigned as director in 2005. Palazzari was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1970–71Colorado CollegeNCAA268172537
1971–72Colorado CollegeNCAA3232407242
1972–73Colorado CollegeNCAA2724285232
1973–74Colorado CollegeNCAA3231487971
1974–75St. Louis BluesNHL7314173119
1975–76Providence RedsAHL5519325172
1976–77Kansas City BluesCHL4118345231
1976–77St. Louis BluesNHL121010
1977–78Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL70455610182
1977–78St. Louis BluesNHL31010
1978–79Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL3524325619
1978–79St. Louis BluesNHL202354
1979–80Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL74486110962
1980–81Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL2726214757
1981–82Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL6834417544
1982–83Villacher SVAustria432520
NHL totals10818203823

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WCHA First Team1971–72
AHCA West All-American1971–72
All-WCHA First Team1973–74
AHCA West All-American1973–74
CHL First All-Star Team1978, 1980
Scoring Leader - CHL1978
Tommy Ivan Trophy (MVP - CHL)1978, 1980
Phil Esposito Trophy (Scoring Leader - CHL)1980

External links

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Awards and achievements
PrecededbyBob Murray Ron GrahameWCHA Most Valuable Player 1971–72 1973–74SucceededbyRon Grahame Mike Polich / Tom Ross
PrecededbySteve WestCHL Leading Scorer 1977–78SucceededbyRick Shinske
PrecededbyBarclay PlagerWinner of the Tommy Ivan Trophy 1977–78SucceededbyRon Low
PrecededbyRick ShinskeWinner of the Phil Esposito Trophy 1979–80SucceededbyJoe Mullen
PrecededbyRon LowWinner of the Tommy Ivan Trophy 1979–80SucceededbyJoe Mullen