A UBC hockey star during the late 1940s Koch led UBC's 49/50 Hall of Fame team to victories over the best of U.S. and Western Canadian university competition. The one-time NHL prospect's 27 goals in 19 games in 49/50 is the second best goals per game average in UBC history. Koch continued to play professional hockey after attaining his degree in Pharmacy at UBC in 1950.
Bob Koch (pronounced Cook), a native of Strathmore Alberta, has proven to be one of the most notable and intriguing hockey players in UBC history. Even in an era (1940s) when NHL hockey consisted of only six teams, Koch was thought of as UBC's "most likely to succeed" at that ultimate level.
After graduating from high school in 1941, Bob embarked upon a pro career in the Eastern League and after just one season received a try-out contract with the Detroit Red Wings. The youngster was described as an excellent backchecker, playmaker and team man. However, as it happened, Bob would serve the next 38 months in the Air Force playing only 25 games, yet playing some of the best hockey of his career. Following the service, Koch continued his professional hockey career playing two years (1945/46 and 46/47) with the New Westminster Royals of the Pacific Coast Hockey League, a pro league with a sprinkling of ex-NHL'ers.
It was at this time - 1947 - at age 25, Koch made a career decision. Even though the Chicago Black Hawks were eager to have Bob tryout for them, the low salaries (Gordie Howe was making $10,000.00) and questionable longevity did not appeal to Koch. He decided to go to UBC and pursue a degree in pharmacy. For the next three years the Thunderbird hockey team would be blessed with likely the most experienced, high profile hockey playing student it would ever see don the Blue & Gold.
In 1947/48 the 'Birds schedule consisted of games in the Pacific Coast Senior 'B' league with trips to California and Colorado. Koch made his first appearance for the Frank Fredrickson/Paul Thompson coached 'Birds, Nov. 23 '47, in a game against the Vancouver Indians. Koch paced the team that night with three goals in an 8 - 4 triumph. With Koch now teaming with another ex-professional, Haas Young, the two impressed with their speed and stick handling yet the 'Birds would go on to only fourth place as Koch, due to studies and injuries, found himself in and out of the line-up.
However it was in the playoffs Koch got hot. Against Nanaimo, Koch scored five points in two games including, "…the third period was all Koch as he skated from end to end, carrying the puck in on Rivers several times, beating the netminder twice in the final chukker." Against Prince George, Koch scored six goals in two games.
The 'Birds did much better in '48/49, led again by Koch, Young and two newcomers, goalie Don Adams and forward Clare Drake. UBC lost the Senior 'B' final that year in a close, controversial call but was impressive in exhibition victories over Cal-Berkeley and the powerhouse Junior 'A' team, Lethbridge Native Sons. A season highlight for Koch occurred in early January '49 when he scored seven goals and four assists in a two game split with Vancouver. The UBC media feted Koch this season describing his speed and ability to "deke" and picking him as one of UBC's 1948/49 campus sport "personalities."
The following season, 1949/50, was a high point in UBC history. Not only was UBC now playing Senior' A' hockey, but it was this season UBC won the first Hamber Trophy, deemed the equivalent of the Western Canadian university championship and as far as a western team could go in this country. In addition, UBC easily defeated two of the top U.S. college teams on a hectic trip that extended from Alberta to Colorado. With the absence of scoring star Haas Young, Bob Koch took over the scoring load in this a most successful UBC season. Koch "continually amazed fans and opposing team members alike with his dancing, quick breaking style." In Edmonton, in the first game against Alberta in the Hamber Cup series, Koch scored two unassisted goals in a 3 - 2 UBC victory and according to the Ubyssey "... was easily the best man on the ice." Against 49/50 U.S. national champion Colorado College, "…Bob was the sensation of the game as he displayed his top form to a packed house…" Koch's three goals in this two game series were of the type where he “…carried the puck through the entire home team and pulled the goalie out in masterful style." Against Denver University in a 14 - 1 'Bird romp, Koch scored five goals and added three assists. In the game that brought the Hamber Cup to UBC (and it would be another 13 years before they would win it again), Koch was again the star of the game with two goals and two assists. The Vancouver 'Sun' wrote, "UBC rode roughshod over the Alberta Varsity squad, it was Koch who spearheaded the victory and a smashing triumph for the Hon. Eric Hamber Cup emblematic of the intercollegiate hockey championship." He didn't do it alone however, Hugh Berry, Fred Andrew, Don Adams, Terry Nelford and Clare Drake were all major contributors on this the first UBC hockey team to be inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame.
Koch finished this season, his graduating year, as the 'Birds top scorer, scoring 27 goals, 18 assists for 45 points in just 17 games. In fact, as we look back, Koch is one of the two most prolific goal scorers in UBC history. His 27 goals in 17 games in 49/50 (1.59 goals per game), ranks second best in UBC history to Bob McAneeley's 1.66 goals per game in 70/71. Also, Koch is one of only three players in UBC history to score more career goals than career games played. "The best player on the team - he was brilliant!" states hockey contemporary and future UBC coach Bob Hindmarch. "If it were today he would be a high draft pick."
Upon graduation in1950, Koch became a pharmacist in New Westminster while at the same time spending the 50/51 season playing professional hockey with the Royals. Working in a drug store and playing pro was “…hectic and stupid," says Bob,"...but I think I played my best hockey ever for the last two months." In fact, Koch was a finalist for the PCHL 'Rookie of the Year', scoring 26 goals in 56 games.
In the words of Herm Frydenlund, former manager and publicist of the UBC hockey team and life-long hockey aficionado, "Bobby was certainly the best UBC player ever, in my opinion." Former teammate and future legendary hockey coach Clare Drake recalls how Koch was respectful and helpful to the younger players such as himself, and remembers Koch for his character and outstanding ability.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
