Robert Bortuzzo Bio
Robert Bortuzzo is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He was most recently under contract with the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bortuzzo was drafted 78th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2007 NHL entry draft. Growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Bortuzzo played junior hockey with the Fort William North Stars, with whom he won a Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) championship and the Dudley Hewitt Cup.
Early Life and Background
Robert Bortuzzo was born on March 18, 1989, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, to parents Oscar and Susan. His father was a major junior ice hockey goaltender who was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers in 1977 and was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Bortuzzo’s grandfather, Sergio, volunteered at Thunder Bay’s DaVinci Centre, where they host an annual bocce tournament in his name. Growing up, Bortuzzo played both baseball and ice hockey, co-captaining his little league baseball team to the Senior League World Series after narrowly missing the Little League World Series three years prior.
Path to Hockey
Bortuzzo was drafted by the Windsor Spitfires during the 2005 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection but chose to complete the 2005–06 season with the Fort William North Stars of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). During that season, he led the team to a league championship and the Dudley Hewitt Cup. Although he went pointless in five games during the 2006 Royal Bank Cup Final, Bortuzzo called it a “great experience and definitely a great learning curve.” After completing the season with the Fort William North Stars, Bortuzzo was acquired by the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2007 draft. He recorded his first career OHL goal on November 2, 2006, in a 4–2 loss to the London Knights. Leading up to the 2007 NHL entry draft, Bortuzzo drew comparisons to Fedor Tyutin and was praised as “a legitimate prospect” by NHL scouts.
Robert Bortuzzo Career
Early Career (2009–2015)
After attending the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp, Bortuzzo was reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, on September 23, 2009, to begin the 2009–10 season. He recorded his first career AHL goal during the second period of a 5–3 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack on November 19, 2009. In his rookie season, Bortuzzo tallied 12 points, 109 penalty minutes, and a plus-13 rating in 75 games. He was selected to compete in the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic, where he scored two goals. Bortuzzo concluded his second season with the Penguins with 26 points in 79 games and earned a league-wide best plus-28.
Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Bortuzzo was traded to the St. Louis Blues on March 2, 2015, in exchange for defenceman Ian Cole. He made his St. Louis Blues debut on March 5, 2015, against the Philadelphia Flyers. During the 2018–19 season, Bortuzzo won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blues, becoming the first SIJHL alumnus to do so. Bortuzzo played a crucial role in the playoffs, including scoring the game-winning goal in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final against the San Jose Sharks. The Blues ultimately defeated the Boston Bruins in seven games to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Notable Works and Milestones
Bortuzzo’s signature work includes his contributions to the St. Louis Blues’ Stanley Cup victory in 2019. He was recognized for his efforts with a Day with the Cup, celebrating his achievement as a key player in the team’s historic win.
Robert Bortuzzo Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Robert Bortuzzo has been recognized for his contributions on the ice, particularly during his tenure with the St. Louis Blues, where he played a pivotal role in their Stanley Cup victory.
Robert Bortuzzo Awards Won
Robert Bortuzzo won the Stanley Cup in 2019 as a member of the St. Louis Blues, marking a significant achievement in his professional hockey career.
Robert Bortuzzo Family
Robert Bortuzzo’s family includes his parents, Oscar and Susan, who have been supportive of his hockey career from an early age. His father, Oscar, was a notable junior ice hockey goaltender and has had a lasting impact on Robert’s journey in sports.
Personal Life
Details about Robert Bortuzzo’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly available. However, he remains focused on his professional career and contributions to the sport of ice hockey.