Forward Bob Laycock brought the first dose of star power to the Dinos hockey program during his four-year career from 1974-78 and is fittingly the first member of the Dinos Hall of Fame inducted exclusively for his contributions to hockey.
A product of the Calgary minor hockey system, Bob played bantam, midget, and juvenile hockey with the South West Hockey Association. After receiving some sound advice from a guidance counselor by the name of Peter Connellan, Bob enrolled at the University of Calgary after graduating from Viscount Bennett High School.
He joined the Dinos as a 17-year-old, playing a key role with the team for four seasons. In 91 conference games, Bob scored 48 goals and tallied 72 assists for 120 points – a 1.3 points-per-game clip. Upon his graduation in 1978, he was the all-time leading scorer in Canada West hockey, despite not playing a fifth season.
A strong leader, Bob was a determined player who was good with the puck and showed a knack for scoring. He spent the last two years of his career as captain and was named the University of Calgary athlete of the year in 1978, his final season.
The Laycock-led Dinos captured the 1976 Canada West conference title, reaching the pinnacle of a very tough league in an era where they played just 24 games.
Two of Bob’s brothers, Robin and Rick, also laced up for the Dinos, while their father, Jim, was active in senior hockey leagues.
Following his collegiate career, Bob played professionally in West Germany, where he was named MVP import player and won the West German championship in Landshut, Bavaria. In one 44-game schedule, Bob and his brother Robin scored 161 goals, the highlight of his five-year European career. During this span, he also received two invitations to try out for the Canadian Olympic team.
Bob graduated from the University of Calgary with a bachelor of science degree in 1978, majoring in geography. At 26 years of age, he tool on the position of general manager at the Carstairs Golf Club. He spent the next 20 years as an administrator in the sport of golf, with stints as GM of the Red Deer Golf and Country Club as well as owner/manager of the Springbank Links Golf Club.
He continues to have business interests in real estate, retail, and management, and he is currently the general manager of the Calgary Curling Club downtown. Bob played competitive hardball, fastball, golf, and hockey in Calgary, and he still participates with his brothers in golf and hockey. He has also been active with the Dinos hockey alumni group.
Bob and his wife Holly, also a Calgarian, reside in their hometown and have two daughters – Emily and Abigail.
