Francis Blank

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameFrancis•Blank
Used nameFrancis•Blank
Other namesFrançois Blank
Born30 December 1930 in Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel (SUI)
Died3 November 2021 in Le Landeron, Neuchâtel (SUI)
Measurements168 cm
AffiliationsYoung-Sprinters HC, Neuchâtel (SUI)
NOC Switzerland

Biography

Francis Blank was born in Neuchâtel and was a fixture on the Neuchâtel Young Sprinters Hockey Club for more than two decades. Known for his physical play and diminutive size, he played on a highly effective forward line with Canadian-born centreman Orville Martini and winger Gian Bazzi for over a decade. In addition to the 1952 Olympics, Blank represented Switzerland at three World Hockey Championships from 1953 to 1955, won three Swiss Cups with Neuchâtel (1957, 1958 and 1963), and played briefly for HC Bienne in the 1960s. He also played B-league football in his younger years for FC Cantonal in Neuchâtel from 1952 to 1958.

Blank retired from professional hockey in the late 1960s and later turned to coaching in the 1970s and 1980s, including for La Chaux-de-Fonds, Lausanne HC, HC Bienne, and HC Serrières. He also was involved in the organization of the Tag Heuer tournament in the 1980s, and served as sport director for the Neuchâtel Young Sprinters in the 1990s. He was a carpenter by profession.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) SUI Francis Blank
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Switzerland 5

Special Notes