A versatile forward who could play centre or right wing, Lou Jankowski suited up for the Red Wings and Black Hawks in the early 1950s. He was an explosive goal scorer in junior and the minors but couldn't find the net on a consistent basis in the NHL.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Jankowski came east as a teenager and played three seasons with the Oshawa Generals of the OHA. During his last year of junior in 1950-51, he led the league with 61 goals and received a one-game trial with the Detroit Red Wings, recording an assist. He played 22 games for the Wings in 1952-53 but also suited up for the Edmonton Flyers of the WHL and the AHL's St. Louis Flyers.
Jankowski spent two seasons with the Black Hawks playing on a line with fellow role players such as Ike Hildebrand and George Gee. After the 1954-55 season he never returned to the NHL but enjoyed a solid minor pro career. His best work came in the WHL with the Calgary Stampeders, Denver Invaders and Victoria Cougars. During one six-season stretch between 1958-59 and 1963-64, Jankowski led the league in goals four times.
After scoring a league record 57 goals for Calgary in 1960-61, he was presented the Leader Cup as the WHL's most valuable player. In 1964 he won the Fred J. Hume Cup as that league's most gentlemanly player and was three-time selection to the league's first all-star team. He retired in 1969 after playing 46 games for the Amarillo Wranglers of the CHL. That last season he also served as an interim playing coach. Jankowski scored over 400 goals during his prolific career in the minors. In October 1969, he was hired to coach the Eastern League's Jersey Devils, a posting that lasted four months until he resigned due to stress.
