A Legend of the Game
Charlie Goodwin, a forward whose name still resonates in Spokane’s hockey lore, died peacefully at the age of 88. His passing was confirmed by his wife, Judy Goodwin, who shared that he spent his final years surrounded by the love of his family while coping with lymphoma and dementia.
Goodwin’s name is inseparable from the Spokane Jets, the first United States teams to capture the Allan Cup in back‑to‑back seasons. He skated for the Jets during the 1969‑70 and 1971‑72 campaigns, helping to cement the franchise’s place in hockey history.
Born and raised across several towns in Saskatchewan, Canada, Goodwin’s early years were marked by a relentless drive to excel on the ice. He emerged as a reliable scorer, posting roughly 25 goals and 64 points in the 1963‑64 season, a performance that foreshadowed his later championship success.
Beyond the rink, Goodwin’s personal story is one of enduring partnership and family devotion. He met his future wife Judy on a blind date in Spokane in 1965, and the two married the following year. Their union produced two sons, Charlie II and Jeff, four grandchildren, and a close‑knit network of siblings who survive him.
After his playing days, Goodwin turned his attention to nurturing the next generation of talent. He coached Spokane’s Junior B team during the 1974‑75 and 1975‑76 seasons, imparting the lessons he learned from his own mentors to young players eager to follow in his footsteps.
Friends, teammates, and community leaders have paid tribute to Goodwin’s legacy, emphasizing how his love for the game transcended statistics. While he requested no formal services, the outpouring of memories underscores the profound impact he had on the sport and on those who knew him.