Peter Sidorkiewicz

Peter Sidorkiewicz
Born	(1963-06-29) June 29, 1963 Dąbrowa Białostocka, Poland
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey goaltender, coach
Years active	1984–1998 (player), 1999–2019 (coach)
Known for	NHL goaltender for Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils; 1993 NHL All-Star

Peter Paul Sidorkiewicz (born June 29, 1963) is a retired Polish-Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, and New Jersey Devils, and was selected to represent the Wales Conference at the 1993 NHL All-Star Game. Following his playing career, Sidorkiewicz moved into coaching, taking positions with the Erie Otters (OHL), Dornbirner EC (Austrian Hockey League), and Norfolk Admirals (ECHL).

Early life

Sidorkiewicz was born in Dąbrowa Białostocka, Poland, and relocated to Oshawa, Ontario, Canada when he was three years old. Originally concentrating on softball, he transitioned to ice hockey at age ten after encouragement from a coach. He advanced through Oshawa’s minor hockey system, capturing an Ontario Bantam Championship in 1977.

Oshawa Generals (1980–1984)

In the 1980–81 season, Sidorkiewicz joined the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), appearing in seven games with a goals against average (GAA) of 4.68. His role expanded over the next seasons, becoming the Generals’ primary goaltender by 1982–83. That year, he posted a 36–20–3 record and a 3.61 GAA across 60 games.

During the 1983 playoffs, Sidorkiewicz backstopped Oshawa to capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions, compiling an impressive 15–1–1 record and a 3.68 GAA in 17 games, which qualified them for the 1983 Memorial Cup. The Generals advanced to the final but were defeated by the Portland Winterhawks. Sidorkiewicz finished the Memorial Cup with a 3–2 record and a 5.12 GAA and earned a spot on the tournament all-star team alongside teammates Joe Cirella and John MacLean. That season, he and teammate Jeff Hogg were honored with the OHL’s Dave Pinkney Trophy for allowing the fewest goals against as a team.

In his concluding junior year (1983–84), he recorded a 28–21–1 mark with a 5.06 GAA over 52 games. Oshawa’s playoff run ended in the quarter-finals against the Ottawa 67's.

Washington Capitals (1984–1985)

Selected in the fifth round, 91st overall, by the Washington Capitals during the 1981 NHL entry draft, Sidorkiewicz turned pro in 1984. He was assigned to Washington’s International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets, where he shared goaltending responsibilities and posted a 4–4–2 record with a 4.37 GAA in ten games. Following an injury to Capitals’ goalie Al Jensen, Sidorkiewicz was moved to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Whalers, where he emerged as a strong candidate for AHL MVP honors. On March 12, 1985, Washington traded Sidorkiewicz along with Dean Evason to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for David Jensen.

Hartford Whalers (1985–1992)

After joining Hartford’s organization, Sidorkiewicz continued playing for Binghamton since both clubs were affiliated. Alongside goalies Mike Liut and Steve Weeks, he was part of general manager Emile Francis’s rebuilding strategy. During the 1984–85 AHL season, he achieved a 31–9–5 record with a 3.05 GAA in 45 appearances and helped lead Binghamton to the Calder Cup semi-finals. His solid performance persisted over subsequent seasons: in 1985–86, he led all AHL goaltenders with a league-best 3.19 GAA across 49 games; in 1986–87, he posted a 23–16 record with a 2.92 GAA and earned selection to the AHL Second All-Star Team.

Sidorkiewicz made his NHL debut during the 1987–88 season after being called up due to an injury to starting goalie Mike Liut. He participated in one NHL game that year, making thirty saves despite suffering a loss against Washington. In the following season (1988–89), Sidorkiewicz served as Hartford’s backup goaltender and recorded his first NHL victory and shutout. He finished that campaign with a record of 22–18–4 including four shutouts and contributed to Hartford’s playoff qualification. His efforts earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team and fourth place in Calder Memorial Trophy voting.

With Liut traded back to Washington before the start of the 1989–90 season, Sidorkiewicz assumed Hartford’s starting goaltender role. He posted a 19–19–7 record with a 3.57 GAA over forty-six games while guiding Hartford through a seven-game playoff series against Boston. The subsequent season saw him maintain consistent play with a record of 21–22–7 in fifty-two games along with another postseason appearance. However, during the 1991–92 season both Sidorkiewicz and backup Kay Whitmore experienced difficulties; Sidorkiewicz recorded only nine wins against nineteen losses and six ties with a GAA of 3.34 over thirty-five games. At the trade deadline, GM Eddie Johnston acquired goalie Frank Pietrangelo which relegated Sidorkiewicz to third-string status and left him off Hartford’s playoff roster.

On June 18, 1992, during the 1992 NHL expansion draft, Sidorkiewicz was left unprotected by Hartford and subsequently selected by the Ottawa Senators as their initial pick.

Ottawa Senators (1992–1993)

Sidorkiewicz signed a three-year deal in August 1992 to become the starting goaltender for the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural 1992–93 season. He secured a win in the franchise's debut game by defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5–3, but did not achieve another victory for the following 20 games amid the team's struggles. That season, Sidorkiewicz appeared in a personal best of 64 games, compiling an 8–46–3 record with a goals-against average (GAA) of 4.43 and a save percentage of .856. Despite these numbers, he gained popularity among fans and was selected to participate in the 44th NHL All-Star Game held at the Montreal Forum, where he contributed to the Wales Conference's win. Toward the end of the season, a shoulder injury requiring surgery sidelined him, and on June 20, 1993, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Craig Billington, Troy Mallette, and a fourth-round draft pick.

New Jersey Devils (1993–1998)

The Devils expressed initial reservations about acquiring Sidorkiewicz due to his incomplete recovery from shoulder surgery. During the 1993–94 campaign, he appeared in only three NHL contests, posting an 0–3–0 record with a 2.77 GAA and .891 save percentage. His injury opened opportunities for Martin Brodeur to emerge alongside Chris Terreri. Most of that season saw Sidorkiewicz playing with Albany River Rats (AHL) and Fort Wayne Komets (IHL), where he delivered varied performances including two shutouts with Fort Wayne and helped his team reach the Turner Cup finals.

In 1994–95, Sidorkiewicz remained with Fort Wayne before moving back to Albany in 1995–96 as Mike Dunham’s backup. When Dunham sustained an injury, Sidorkiewicz took over as starter and finished with a strong 19–7–5 record supported by solid goaltending statistics. He continued as Albany’s main netminder through the 1997–98 season, maintaining steady play but seeing limited NHL action. His last NHL game occurred on December 30, 1997, when he substituted during a match against Chicago due to Brodeur’s illness; he conceded one goal over one period. Following that season, Sidorkiewicz retired, concluding a professional tenure characterized by perseverance and versatility across various leagues.

International play

Sidorkiewicz was chosen to represent Team Canada at the 1989 IIHF World Championships in Sweden, where Canada secured a silver medal after finishing runner-up to Russia.

Erie Otters (1999–2013)

Beginning in 1999, Sidorkiewicz joined the Erie Otters of the OHL as an assistant coach and was elevated to head coach prior to the 2006–07 OHL season. During his sole complete season leading the team, he guided a rebuilding squad to a 15–50–3 record, missing out on playoff qualification. He started the following season as head coach but reverted to assistant coach duties after Robbie Ftorek was appointed in October. When Ftorek departed in 2012, new head coach Kris Knoblauch retained Sidorkiewicz on staff until 2013.

Dornbirner EC (2014–2017)

In August 2014, Sidorkiewicz accepted an assistant coaching role with Dornbirner EC competing in the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL), working under head coach Dave MacQueen. Midway through the 2016–17 season, he was promoted to head coach after MacQueen returned to Canada due to family reasons.

Norfolk Admirals (2017–2019)

Ahead of the 2017–18 ECHL season, Sidorkiewicz joined the Norfolk Admirals as an assistant coach, reuniting with former Erie Otters head coach Robbie Ftorek. Both coaches were released after the conclusion of the 2018–19 season following changes in team ownership.

Personal life

In 2013, Sidorkiewicz received the honor of being named to the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame.

Ontario Hockey League

Team	Season	Regular season						Post season
		G	W	L	OTL	Pts	Standing	Outcome
Erie Otters	2006–07	68	15	50	3	33	5th place in Midwest Division	Did not qualify for playoffs
Erie Otters	2007–08	15	3	12	0	6	5th place in Midwest Division	Resigned mid-season
OHL totals	2006–2008	83	18	62	3	39		0-0 (0.000)

Awards and achievements

• Selected for the Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star Team (1983)
• Named to the AHL Second All-Star Team (1987)
• Included in the NHL All-Rookie Team (1989)
• Participant in the NHL All-Star Game (1993)

Regular season and playoffs

... [data continues similarly] ...

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1980–81	Oshawa Legionnaires	MetJHL		22	—	—	—	1300	70	1	3.23	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Oshawa Generals	OHL		7	3	3	0	308	24	0	4.68	—		5	2	2	266	20	0	4.52	—
1981–82	Oshawa Generals	OHL		29	14	11	1	1553	123	2	4.75	—		1	0	0	13	1	0	4.62	—
1982–83	Oshawa Generals	OHL		60	36	20	3	3536	213	0	3.61	—		17	15	1	1020	60	0	3.53	—
1982–83	Oshawa Generals	MC		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		5	3	2	293	25	0	5.12	—
1983–84	Oshawa Generals	OHL		52	28	21	1	2966	250	1	4.15	—		7	3	4	420	27	1	3.86	—
1984–85	Binghamton Whalers	AHL		45	31	9	5	2691	137	3	3.05	.901		8	4	4	481	31	0	3.87
1984–85	Fort Wayne Komets	IHL		10	4	4	2	590	43	0	4.37
1985–86	Binghamton Whalers	AHL		49	21	22	3	2819	150	2	3.19	.883
AHL totals				345	171	116	29	19,836	1027	17	3.11	.891		47	19	26	2725	144	0	3.17
NHL totals				246	79	128	27	13,884	832	8	3.60	.871		15	5	10	912	55	0	3.62	.867

International

Year	Team	Competition		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA
1989	Canada	WC		1	0	0	0	25	0	0	0.00