Peter Paul Sidorkiewicz (born June 29, 1963) is a Polish-Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Sidorkiewicz played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, and New Jersey Devils, representing the Wales Conference in the 1993 NHL All-Star Game. Since retiring as a player, Sidorkiewicz has worked for the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL as a coach and player personnel director.
Junior hockey
Oshawa Generals (1980–1984) Sidorkiewicz joined the Oshawa Generals of the OHL in 1980–81, going 3–3–0 with a 4.68 GAA in seven games. Sidorkiewicz also saw some playing time in the post-season, going 2–2 with a 4.51 GAA in five games.
Sidorkiewicz saw his playing time increase during the 1981–82 season, playing in 29 games with the Generals, earning a 14–11–1 record with a 4.75 GAA. Sidorkiewicz would only see action in one playoff game, going 0–0 with a 4.62 GAA in 13 minutes of playing time.
He became the Generals starting goaltender in 1982–83, as in 60 games, Sidorkiewicz posted a 36–20–3 record with a 3.61 GAA. In the playoffs, Sidorkiewicz helped lead the Generals to the J. Ross Robertson Cup by posting a 15–1–1 record with a 3.68 GAA in 17 games, as the Generals qualified for the 1983 Memorial Cup. In the Memorial Cup, Oshawa would make it to the final game, however, lost to the Portland Winterhawks. In the tournament, Sidorkiewicz had a 3–2 record with a 5.12 GAA in five games.
Sidorkiewicz returned to the Generals for the 1983–84 season, going 28–21–1 with a 5.06 GAA in 52 games with Oshawa. In the post-season, he had a 3–4 record with a 3.86 GAA in seven games, as the Generals lost in the quarter-finals.
Professional career
Washington Capitals (1984–1985) Sidorkiewicz was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round, 91st overall, at the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. In 10 games with the Capitals IHL affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets, Sidorkiewicz had a 4–4–2 record with a 4.37 GAA. He then joined the Binghamton Whalers, the Capitals AHL affiliate that they shared with the Hartford Whalers.
On March 12, 1985, Washington traded Sidorkiewicz and Dean Evason to the Hartford Whalers for David Jensen.
Hartford Whalers (1985–1992) When Sidorkiewicz was acquired by the Hartford Whalers from the Washington Capitals, he remained with the Binghamton Whalers of the AHL, as the two clubs shared the team. Sidorkiewicz had an impressive 1984–85 season with Binghamton, going 31–9–5 with a 3.05 GAA in 45 games. In the post-season, Sidorkiewicz went 4–4 with a 3.87 GAA in eight games with the AHL Whalers.
In 1985–86, Sidorkiewicz had a 21–22–3 record with a 3.19 GAA in 49 games with Binghamton, helping the club reach the playoffs. In four post-season games, Sidorkiewicz had a 1–3 record with a 3.06 GAA.
Sidorkiewicz had a very solid 1986–87 with Binghamton, earning a 23–16–0 record in 57 games with a 2.92 GAA and a .889 save percentage. In the playoffs, Sidorkiewicz had a 6–7 record with a 2.72 GAA in 13 games.
Sidorkiewicz returned to Binghamton for the 1987–88, going 19–17–3 with a 3.68 GAA in 42 games, helping the club reach the post-season. In three playoff games, Sidorkiewicz was 0–2 with a 3.27 GAA. Sidorkiewicz also saw his NHL debut in 1987–88, as he started for the Hartford Whalers on October 16, 1987 against the Washington Capitals. Sidorkiewicz made 30 saves in his NHL debut, however, suffered a 6–2 loss to Washington in his only NHL game for the season.
Sidorkiewicz would stay in the NHL for good in 1988–89, as he began the season as the back-up goaltender with Hartford, playing behind Mike Liut. On October 15, 1988, Sidorkiewicz earned his first career NHL victory, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 7–5 at the Hartford Civic Center. On December 6, 1988, Sidorkiewicz earned his first career shutout, as the Whalers crushed the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 9–0. With Liut suffering through injuries, Sidorkiewicz became the Whalers starting goaltender by the end of the season. Overall, in 44 games, Sidorkiewicz had a 22–18–4 record with a 3.03 GAA and a .890 save percentage, as well as four shutouts, helping the Whalers make the playoffs. In two playoff games, Sidorkiewicz went 0–2 with a 3.87 GAA and a .822 save percentage as the club was swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the Adams Division semi-finals. Sidorkiewicz finished fourth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting, and 11th in Vezina Trophy voting.