Józef Kurek

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Coach
SexMale
Full nameJózef Franciszek•Kurek
Used nameJózef•Kurek
Nick/petnamesDługopis
Born2 January 1933 in Krynica-Zdrój, Małopolskie (POL)
Died15 February 2015 in Krynica-Zdrój, Małopolskie (POL)
Measurements183 cm / 74 kg
AffiliationsLegia Warszawa, Warszawa (POL)
NOC Poland

Biography

One of the all-time top scoring players in the history of the Polish hockey league, winger Józef Kurek was active in the top tier of Polish hockey for 18 seasons. He played for three teams: KTH/Union Krynica (1948-1954), Gwardia Bydgoszcz (1954-55) and finally Legia Warszawa (1955-1969). With the latter team he won all of his seven championships, while placing runner-up five more times. Kurek was a fixture on the Polish national team, playing in two Olympics as well as four A-level World Championships. After his playing career, he took up coaching, initially as the assistant coach of the national team, and from 1975-77 as the head coach. He also coached numerous club teams, mostly in Poland, but also in Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) POL Józef Kurek
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Poland 8
1964 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) POL Józef Kurek
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Poland 9

Coaching results

Games Sport (Discipline) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) POL Józef Kurek
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Poland 6