Curt Giles

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameCurtis Jon "Curt"•Giles
Used nameCurt•Giles
Nick/petnamesPengy
Born30 November 1958 in The Pas, Manitoba (CAN)
Measurements175 cm / 86 kg
AffiliationsMinnesota North Stars, Bloomington (USA)
NOC Canada
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Although Canadian born, defenseman Curt Giles spent nearly his entire ice hockey career in the United States after skating with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1973 through 1975. He entered the University of Minnesota at Duluth that year, at the age of only 16, and spent four years on their hockey team, setting a record in 1977 for points/assists in one game with 6, which he still shares as of 2009. He was also named Rookie of the Year in 1976 and won the Seiler Award as club MVP in 1977 and 1978 (as a co-winner). He was drafted by the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Stars upon his graduation, but spent the first half of the 1979-1980 season with the Central Hockey League’s Oklahoma City Stars. From 1980 through 1986 he skated exclusively with the North Stars, although he joined Team Canada at the 1982 World Championships and helped them bring home a bronze medal. In March of 1986 a bone tumor in his left ring finger necessitated a partial amputation of the digit. He was traded to the NHL’s New York Rangers in 1986, but returned to the North Stars in the middle of the 1987-1988 season and stayed with them until 1991. He spent most of the following year with the Canadian national team and joined them at the 1992 Winter Olympics, where they made their first podium finish in Olympic ice hockey since 1968 by winning the silver medal. At the tournament Giles suited up for eight games and scored one goal. Upon his return he finished the season with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and, after one more year with the team, retired from active play in 1993.

During his tenure with the North Stars, Giles acquired many honors including MVP (1981, 1985, and co-winner 1989), Best Defenseman (1985, 1986, 1988-1990), and the KMSP-TV Award for community service in 1990 and 1991. He was also team captain from September 1989 until October 1991. As of 2009 he serves as head hockey coach at Edina High School in Minnesota and he is a member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1992 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) CAN Curt Giles
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Canada 2 Silver

Special Notes