1943–2011
York Cemetery
Section P Lot 1184
Mikolaj Nicholas “Nick” Harbaruk was born in Drohiczyn, Poland, during the middle of World War II. His early childhood was marked by the terror of Nazi occupation. At just five years old, Harbaruk and his family fled war-torn Europe, immigrating to Toronto in search of safety and a new beginning. That escape would set the stage for an extraordinary life.
Like many Canadian kids, Nick fell in love with hockey. By 17, he was skating for the Toronto Marlboros, helping them win the 1964 Memorial Cup. His determination and grit carried him through five seasons with the Tulsa Oilers, where he balanced hockey with earning a degree in economics – a rare feat for a pro athlete of his era.
Opportunity knocked in 1969, when the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed him in the NHL Intra-League Draft. Harbaruk quickly became known as a rugged, reliable right winger and a top penalty killer. Over four seasons with the Penguins, he scored key playoff goals, including the game-winner in Pittsburgh’s first-ever post-season game. He later played for the St. Louis Blues and the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA, finishing his career with 364 NHL games, 181 WHA games and a reputation for relentless two-way play.
After hanging up his skates, Nick returned to Toronto and coached at Seneca College, earning induction into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Hall of Fame in 2005. His story remains one of resilience, escape from war, embracing opportunity and leaving a mark on Canadian hockey.
Sources:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Nicholas Harbaruk
• PenguinPoop – Pittsburgh Penguins Nick Harbaruk
• Wikipedia – Nick Harbaruk
Photo: ebay.com, front of photo, public domain
