Minnesota Gophers Hockey History

University of Minnesota Gophers Hockey

Source: Donald M. Clark Unpublished Notes**

(Portions of this article previously published in Ross Bernsteins: "Gopher Hockey by the Hockey Gopher")

Minnesota, with its thousands of lakes and ponds, was an ideal place for the newly formed game of ice hockey to prosper. Shinny, and organized game, had been played in the state since the Civil War. Ice polo had been popular in St. Paul and Minneapolis since the early 1880’s. It was a matter of time before the University of Minnesota would display an interest in the sport. Such concern manifested itself when the first University of Minnesota team, unsanctioned by the college, was organized in January of 1895 by Dr. H. A. Parkyn, who had played the game in Toronto.

It appears that Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore may have been the first college in the United States to play hockey, having tied the Baltimore Athletic Club at the dedication of the newly built North Avenue Rink in Baltimore on December 26, 1894. The University of Minnesota may have been the second college in the nation to play the game. Although students from Yale and other eastern colleges visited Canada during Christmas vacation of 1894, Yale did not play the game until January of 1896 when they met Johns Hopkins. Columbia started hockey competition during the winter on 1896, while Brown and Harvard continued to play ice-polo through the season of 1896-1897.

Prior to meeting the Winnipeg Seven, the newly formed Minnesota team played three games against the Minneapolis Hockey Club, with the collegians winning two and losing one game.

The game against Winnipeg was played at the Athletic Park in downtown Minneapolis, located at Sixth Street and First Avenue North, just north of the famous West Hotel. The park was located on the present site of the renowned Butler Square Building, next to the current Target Center Arena. The park was the home of the professional Minneapolis Millers Baseball Club until they moved to Nicollet Park at Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street on June 19, 1896. Athletic Park was opened in 1891. For those interested in baseball lore, Athletic Park measured 275 feet in left field, and 250 feet in right field. It was a home-run hitter’s delight.

Minneapolis Ariel, February 16, 1895. Page 5:

“The University of Minnesota hockey team will play a game for the championship of Minneapolis against the Minneapolis Hockey Club at their rink, at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Eleventh Street South. The game is preparatory to the game to be played Monday afternoon by Winnipeg and the University of Minnesota. Winnipeg is champion of the world.* Winnipeg has returned from a rough trip through eastern Canada and has defeated without too much trouble Montréal, Toronto, Victoria, Ottawa, Québec, and the Limestone’s. The University started practice two or three weeks ago and played against a Minneapolis team, being defeated 4-1. A week and one half ago that they defeated the same team 6-4. Tonight they play the tie off for the championship. Dr. H.A. Parkyn has been coaching the boys every afternoon. He has a couple of stars in Willis Walker and Russell.

Walker plays point and Russell cover-point, with Van Campen in goal. Parkyn

and Albert are center forwards. Dr. Parkyn’s long experience with the Victoria

team of Toronto, one of the best, makes him a fine player. Thompson and

Head, the other two forwards, are old ice polo players and skate fast and pass

well. Van Campen, quarterback on last year's football team, plays goal well.

Many tickets have been sold for tonight’s and also Monday's game. Tickets

are $.25, ladies come free. The excitement of these games is intense, and

surpasses that at a football game.”

St. Paul Pioneer Press February 19, 1895. Page 6:

“The first international hockey game between Winnipeg and the

University of Minnesota was played yesterday, and won by the visitors 11-3.

The day was perfect and 300 spectators occupied the grandstand, coeds of

the University being well represented. Features of the game was the team

play of the Canadians, and individual play of Parkyn, Walker, and Head for the

University. Hockey promises to become as popular a sport at the University

as football, baseball, and rowing.”

The first attempt to organize varsity ice hockey at the University of Minnesota took place in November of 1900 when a committee composed of George Northrup, Paul Joslyn, and A.R. Gibbons was appointed to draw up a constitution for the club and look into other problems concerning playing the game at the University. A committee of S. Collins, T.B. Richards, and R. Tibbetts conferred with the Athletic Board regarding the flooding of Northrop Field. It was decided not to flood Northrop Field, and instead to play at Como Lake in St. Paul several miles distant. No scheduled games were played during the season of 1900-1901, and it was not until late in the season of 1903 that the University of Minnesota played any games on a formal basis. Only two contests were played that season, both resulting in wins for the U of M. Minneapolis Central High School was defeated 4-0 and the Saint Paul Virginias 4-3. Team members were: John S. Abbott, Frank Teasdale, Gordon Wood, Fred Elston, Frank Cutter, R.S. Blitz, W.A. Ross, Arthur Toplin, and Captain Thayer Boss.

St. Paul Globe February 1, in 1900:

“Chicago, Illinois-to play ice hockey, universities and colleges in the west need covered buildings. A.A. Stagg of the University of Chicago says the game would be popular with covered buildings. If Chicago had facilities they would like to meet eastern colleges.”

The season of 1903 proved to be the last of ice hockey on a formal basis at the University of Minnesota for a period of nearly 2 decades. In 1910 efforts were made to revive the sport and to interest the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin in the sport, so as to furnish Big Ten Intercollegiate Conference competition. This move met with failure.

University of Minnesota Daily, January 13, 1914:

“As its meeting Wednesday afternoon the Board of control voted

$25 to outfit a hockey team. It was just enough to outfit one man, not

seven, with sticks and pucks. In this the board, with all due respect for

its other admirable qualities, shows the most parsimony in the matter

of financing minor sports that it has shown over the past years. This

is not so evident in the matter of hockey as it is in track. If the

University ever expects to develop its minor sports program, it will

have to exchange its attitude somewhat.”

In 1915-1916 a series of games was played by a team

representing the University of Minnesota against Minneapolis

and St. Paul High Schools and St. Thomas College. However,

the team was not recognized by the University of Minnesota

Athletic Board at this time and the games played were classed

as “pick-up” contests. About this time the fraternities began taking an intense interest in hockey. While in the season of 1914-1915 only two fraternities, namely Delta Tau, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, had iced teams. By the following season 16 fraternities were playing the game. Professor O.S. Zelner worked untiringly to organize the teams and the league. These games were played on outdoor ice on Northrop Field with the finals and playoffs often being played at the indoor Hippodrome ice at the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Some of them better frat players of this era were the Bros brothers (Chet and Ben), Jenswold, and Lapiere. By 1920 the number of frat and intra-mural teams playing was over 20 in number. It is interesting to note at this time the women students at the University became interested in hockey and organized teams and a league. Some of the frat players such as Bernard and the Chester Bros acted as coaches for the women's teams.

During the 1920-1921 season of few games were played as a varsity sport. Hamline and St. Thomas were defeated. St. Thomas, considered a state champion, was defeated by Minnesota 3-1 in a game played at the Coliseum Rink on Lexington Avenue near University Avenue in St. Paul. Warm weather canceled several of the scheduled games. Beaupre Eldridge of St. Paul, a student at the time, was very instrumental in organizing the team and promoting the sport at the University during this period. Team members for the 1920-1921 season were: Pond, Dwyer, Langford, Strange, Worreal, Byers, Watson, DeForest, Beard, Higgens, Swenson, Graham, Taylor, Chet Bros, and Eldredge.

I.D. MacDonald Era:

1921-1922 through 1922-1923

After much deliberation the Athletic Board of Control finally adopted ice hockey as a varsity sport for the 1921-1922 season. Under the direction of coach MacDonald and captain Chet Bros, the team played ten games, winning seven and losing three. Among the club's defeated were Wisconsin, Luther Seminary, Hamline and the Michigan Mines, while losses were suffered to Hamline and the Michigan Mines. Minnesota challenged the University of Michigan to play for a Big Ten title, but they would not meet the Gophers. The starting lineup for the 1921-1922 team was as follows: E.G. Bergquist, Chet Bros, Addie Wyatt, Beaupre, Eldredge, Lorin Jacobsen and Lee Bartlett. Most of the home games were played continuously as a varsity sport at the University of Minnesota.

Emil Iverson Era:

1923-1924 through 1929-1930

Emil Iverson, exhibition skater and skating instructor from Denmark, followed in MacDonald's footsteps as Gopher coach. During the same period his brother Kay coached a strong Marquette University team, and a strong rivalry was established between the two schools. After leaving the Gophers Iverson coached the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL for a short time. During Iverson's seven-year stay the Gophers won 70, lost 20 and tied 13 games. Captain Frank Pond and goalie Fred Schade led Iverson's first team of 1923-1924 to a 13-1-0 season, while for the following season of 1924-1925 most of the home games were played at the newly constructed Minneapolis Arena. Captain Ed Olson led the 1925-1926 team to an undefeated season by winning 12 and tying 4 games. The 1928-1929 six shared top National honors with Yale as they compiled an 11-2-1 record. Chuck McCabe, Joel Brown, John H. Peterson, Leland Watson, and goalie Osborne Billings were selected to the All-Western team. In addition, McCabe, Brown and Peterson were accorded All-American honors during their Gopher careers. During the six seasons of 1923-1924 through 1928-1929 they lost only 10 games, won 75 and tied 11. During this period Minnesota was consistently ranked among the very best in the nation.

Among the teams approached regarding sending a team to the 1928 Winter Olympics were: Harvard, Minnesota, Augsburg and Eveleth Junior College. Either for lack of finances or students missing classes, all of the colleges except Augsburg declined the opportunity. The final outcome was that no team was sent to the 1928 Winter Olympic Games.

Teams met during the 1920s included Michigan Mines, Michigan, Marquette, Notre Dame, Hibbing, Eveleth Junior College, North Dakota, North Dakota Aggies, St. Thomas, Hamline, Luther Seminary, Ramsey, Manitoba, Dallas A.C. and Tulsa A.C. Notre Dame was met during the seasons of 1924-1925, 1925-1926, and 1926-1927 after which they dropped the sport due to lack of indoor facilities. At Marquette Canadians Don McFayden and Pudge Mackenzie proved to be very popular at the Milwaukee college. In Milwaukee, crowds of 1,500-2,500 would stand outdoors in cold weather to view the games, while the Marquette-Minnesota games staged at the Minneapolis Arena attracted 4,000-5,000 fans. As was the case at Notre Dame, due to the lack of an indoor rink, Marquette dropped hockey after the 1932-1933 season.

During the 1920s the Gophers played their games at a variety of rinks, including an outdoor facility located on the campus. Early in the decade games were played at the Coliseum, while later many games were played at the large natural ice surface at the Hippodrome at the State Fairgrounds. While the opening of the Minneapolis Arena, which possessed artificial ice, in late 1924, the Gopher home games were played there or at the Hippodrome.

A large number of Gopher players during this era came from Minneapolis, with fewer from St. Paul, Duluth and the Iron Range. On occasion a Canadian was on the roster. Among the leading players to compete for Minnesota during the 1920s included: Chuck McCabe, Joel Brown, Osborne Billings, Frank Pond, John H.. Peterson, Cliff Thompson, Ed Owen, W.B. Eldredge, Chet, Ken and Ben Bros, Don Bagley, Reuben Gustafson, Fred Schade, Walt Youngbauer, Vic Mann, Ed Olson, Phil Scott, Jack and Bill Conway, Lloyd Russ, Herb Bartholdi, Leland Watson and H.J. Kuhlman.

Frank Pond Era:

1930-31 through 1934-1935

Frank Pond, a native of Two Harbors, who had captained the 1923-1924 team to a 13-1-0 record, was appointed Gopher coach in the fall of 1930. During his five-year tenure at Minnesota, he iced strong teams in 1931-1932, and 1932-1933, and 1933-1934. During the three-year period, the Gophers won 34, lost 8 and tied 1. They were ranked very high every year according to the Tonnelle System.

As in the 1920s, Minnesota continued to schedule Michigan, Michigan Tech, and Wisconsin, usually playing each four times during the season. Manitoba was added to the schedule, while after the 1932-1933 season Marquette dropped the sport and Wisconsin followed suit after the 1934-1935 campaign.

The strong 1932-1933 team, captained by a Marsh Ryman- who later became Athletic Director at Minnesota- was the first Minnesota team to meet a team from the east when they lost to formidable Harvard 7-6 in Boston. The team played in the Western Olympic Playoffs defeating Eveleth Junior College and the Upper Michigan All-Stars before losing to the Eastern All-Stars in the United States final in Boston. The forward line of Ryman-Todd-Parker led the Gophers in scoring. Using the Tonnelle System of rating the 1931-1932 team was ranked second in the country behind Harvard. The following were among the team members: Captain Marsh Ryman, George Todd, Howie Gibbs, Ben Constantine, Laurie Parker, Alex MacInnes, Andy Toth, Gordon Schaeffer, Bucky Johnson, Phil La Batte, George Clausen, Harold Carlsen, Fred Gould, John Suomi and John Scanlon. MacInnes, Toth, Constantine and Suomi came from Eveleth, the first of many from Eveleth who would in the future wear the maroon and gold uniform. Schaeffer and Todd were from Duluth while the others were Minneapolis products.

Another strong team was iced for the 1932-1933 season. Captained by Harold Carlsen, the team lost only one game during the season, that a 3-1 loss to Michigan. The fast

forward line of Russ-Gray-Munns led the team's offense, while Wagnild

and LaBatte anchored the defense, and Clausen and Scanlon tended

goal. The writer recalls attending the 1933 Wisconsin series at the

Hippodrome in which the Gophers swamped the Badgers by a combined

14-1 score in the two-game series. On the large Hippodrome ice surface

(119’ x 270’) the fast skating Gophers outclassed the Badgers as the

Minnesota “Pony Line” of Russ-Gray-Munns led the Minnesota attack.

With the Russ-Gray-Munns line returning, the 1933-1934 sextet posted

another fine season with an 11-3 record. With returnees LaBatte,

Wagnild, and Zieske at defense and Clausen in the nets, the Gophers

featured a strong defense. Later LaBatte was selected as a member of

the 1936 U.S. Olympic team. Wagnild received the honor of being chosen

for the 1937 and 1938 U.S. National teams.

Frank Pond finished his Minnesota coaching career with a winning

record for his campaign of 1934-1935. Ponds five-year stay resulted in a

46-21-4 record for a winning percentage of .676%. In the 14 year

Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry extending from 1921-1922 through 1934-1935,

the Gophers dominated the series with a 36-6-2 record. In 1928, seven

years into the series, the Badgers finally were able to defeat Minnesota. During this same period the Gophers record against Michigan was 26-13-5, Michigan Tech 18-3-0, Marquette 14-8-1 and North Dakota 6-0-0.

Larry Armstrong Era:

1935-1936 through 1946-1947

Larry Armstrong, well-known Canadian athlete and former St. Paul Saints mentor, took over the coaching duties at Minnesota for the 1935-1936 season. Armstrong held the Gopher coaching spot for 12 seasons, relinquishing his reins to Doc Romness after the 1946-1947 season. Armstrong’s record was 125-55-11 for a winning percentage of .681%. He suffered only one losing campaign, that of 1937-1938. With Bud Wilkinson, later to become the famous Oklahoma football coach, in the nets the Gophers defeated the University of Manitoba in 1937 for the first time in 11 seasons. In 1937 the following Minnesota players were chosen on the Midwest All-Star team: Bud Wilkinson, Dick Kroll, Jimmy Carlson, Reynard Bjork and Ed Arnold. In 1938 and 1939 the Gophers lost all four games played against the University of Southern California, probably the best college team in the country at that time. The previous three seasons prior to World War II (1938-1939, 1939-1940 and 1940-1941) the Gophers posted a 46-9-2 record. National Championship honors were accorded the 1939-1940 team as they won 18 games and finished the season undefeated. Among their college victims were Michigan, Michigan Tech, Illinois and Yale. In the National AAU Championships they defeated with ease the New England All-Stars 9-4 and Connecticut’s Brock Hall 9-1. During the season the team scored 138 goals to their opponents, 25. Led by such performers as Babe Paulsen, John Mariucci, Frank St. Vincent, Hayden Pickering, Jim Magnus, Ken Cramp, Fred Junger, Dave Lampton, All Eggleton, Norb Robertson and goalie Marty Falk, the 1939-1940 team was the strongest at Minnesota since the sport was inaugurated at the college in the early 1920’s. Ching Johnson- former Eveleth Red, Minneapolis Miller and New York Rangers star- who watched the Gophers practice and play, was amazed at their abilities. He compared them favorably with any of the great Canadian amateur teams. The 1938-1939 sextet, made up of underclassmen with the exception of Captain Kenny Anderson, also posted a fine record of 15 wins and 6 losses. The team finished second in the National AAU finals. They won their first two games, swamping the Philadelphia Arrows 10-1, edging the St. Nicholas Club 3-2 and losing in the finals to Cleveland Legion 4-3. Had there been a 1940 U.S. Olympic team several members of the Gopher team would undoubtedly have been members of the team.

Although the 1940-1941 team lost seven players from the champion 1939-1940 team, the team bolstered by the addition of sophomores Bill Galligan and Bob Arnold, managed to finish the season with a respectable 11-3-2 record.

During the war years the Gophers schedule was curtailed as many colleges did not ice teams as the Government discouraged travel. Minnesota scheduled a view college contests against Dartmouth, Michigan and Illinois, but the bulk of their schedule was against local amateur clubs such as Honeywell, Fort Snelling, Berman’s and Wold Chamberlain and Canadian junior teams from Winnipeg, Fort William and Port Arthur. Among the leading players during the war period were Bob Graiziger, Mac Thayer, Jack Behrendt, Pat Ryan, Don Nolander, Bob Arnold and Burton Joseph. Following the ending of World War II Coach Armstrong added several Canadian players from Winnipeg to the Gopher roster. Among them were Bob Fleming, Ray McDermid, Dennis Bergman, Jack O'Brien, Roger

Goodman, Bud Frick and Allen Burman. By the season of 1946-1947,

Armstrong’s last, the Gophers had a nucleus of a strong team. Minnesota-

bred players such as Bill Hodgins, Roland DePaul, Bob Harris, Jim Alley,

Ken Austin, Al Opsahl, Dennis Rolle, Jerry Lindegard, Cal Engelstad, Bill

Klatt, Jerry Remole, Dick Roberts and Tom Karakas were welcome

additions to the club. Harris, Roberts, Austin, Alley, Lindegard and

Engelstad were among the first players from northwestern Minnesota

to play for the Gophers. They were natives of such small communities as

Warroad, Roseau and Hallock. Injuries and ineligibility dodged the team,

but they managed to finish the 1946-1947 season with a respectable 12-5-3

record. Goalie Tom Karakas, from Eveleth, proved to be one of the top

goaltenders in the country. DePaul, Hodgins, Roberts, Fleming and Frick

were the team's leading scorers.

Players from the Armstrong era who were members of the U.S.

Olympic National teams were Bob McCabe, Graiziger, Pat Finnegan, Van,

Opsahl, and Bud Frick. Players who were coached by Armstrong and

turned professional include John Mariucci, Graiziger, Bill Galligan, Tom

Karakas, Ray McDermid and Allen Burman. Fleming has been the longtime

chairman of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Committee.

Elwyn “Doc” Romnes Era:

1947-1948 through 1951-1952

Elwyn “Doc” Romnes, a native of White Bear Lake and former Chicago Blackhawk star, followed Armstrong as Minnesota coach for the 1947-1948 season. His best season was that of 1950-1951 when the Gophers compiled a 14-12 record. The team's senior line of Bjorkman-Watters-Engelstad led the offense, while Jim Sedin, Frank Larson and Tom Wegleitner were the team's leading defenseman. The team lost several close early-season encounters, but managed to win their last nine games, barely missing an NCAA bid.

The Gophers posted a 13-13 record during Romnes’ last season of 1951-1952. The Duluth line of Bodin-Strom-Nyhus led the Minnesota team to a fifth place finish in the newly formed Midwest Collegiate Hockey League (MCHL).

During Romnes’ tenure the newly remodeled Williams Arena was opened for play February 17, 1950 when the Gophers swamped Michigan State 12-1 before a crowd of 3,437 fans. This was the first time that the Gophers had their own arena for practice and games. No more would

they have to bear the inconvenience of using the arena in south

Minneapolis or the Hippodrome in St. Paul. Thus ended the necessity of

the players taking taxis from the campus to these facilities for team

practice. In 1985 Williams Arena was renamed Mariucci Arena in honor

of the former Gopher player and coach, John Mariucci. Gordy Watters in

1951 and Duluth's Larry Ross in 1952 were accorded All-American honors.

Rube Bjorkman, Ken Yackel and Jim Sedin were members of the Silver

Medal winning 1952 U.S. Olympic team. Bjorkman, from Roseau, coached

high school hockey at Greenway and then advance to college coaching

at RPI, New Hampshire and North Dakota.

The University of Minnesota Athletic Department and Athletic Director

Ike Armstrong were not satisfied with Romnes’ five-year record of 53 wins

and 59 losses and replaced him with former Gopher football and hockey

star John Mariucci for the 1952-1953 season. The general feeling among

the Minnesota hockey followers was that with the large and talented pool

of hockey material in the state a more successful program should be

forthcoming.

Among the teams met for the first time during this period were

Denver, Rochester Mustangs, Brandon Wheat Kings and the Olympic Club of San Francisco. Starting the season on 1951-1952 seven Midwest colleges formed in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League (MCHL). Charter members were Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Michigan, North Dakota, Colorado College, Denver and Minnesota. For the season of 1953-1954 the name of the league was changed to the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL). Later the name of the league was changed to the present Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

By the early 1950s hockey in the state was growing at a fast rate with large youth programs in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth, and increased interest in the newly developing Twin City suburban communities and other are smaller cities in out-state Minnesota. This growth, combined with winning Gopher teams during this era, resulted in record crowds at Williams Arena. For the season of 1953-1954 Minnesota led the nation in college attendance by attracting 103,000 fans for 18 home games. Season figures for other WIHL teams were as follows: Michigan State- 10,000, Michigan- 39,000, Michigan Tech-14,000 and North Dakota-54,000. Total league attendance for the following season of 1954-1955 climbed to 312,304.

John Mariucci Era:

1952-1953 through 1965-1966 (On leave 1955-1956)

Eveleth’s John Mariucci replaced Romnes after the 1951-1952 season. Mariucci, a colorful individual who with his remarks and views was a newspaperman's dream, decided to recruit American players for his Minnesota teams. With few exceptions the players on its teams during his 13 year stay were natives of Minnesota. At times he found the going difficult as his opponents often iced teams with mostly Canadians on their rosters. Often these Canadian players were over-age juniors, two or three years older than the Minnesota players and with many more games of experience under their belts. In March of 1958 the WIHL dissolved over charges of recruitment of over age Canadian players. There was no league play in the 1958-1959 season, but after the bad feelings had subsided the seven teams regrouped to form the newly named WCHA for the 1959-1960 season.

Mariucci amassed a 215-148-18 record for a winning percentage of .587%. Under his guidance Minnesota was NCAA runner-up in 1953 and 1954, losing in the finals in 1953 to Michigan 7-3. In 1954 the Gophers swamped Boston College 14-1 in the opening game, and lost in the finals to RPI 5-4 in overtime. John Mayasich and Dick Dougherty each scored nine points in the two-game tourney. In 1961 the NCAA Championship was held at Denver, with Minnesota finishing in third place. Minnesota also captured league titles in 1953 and 1954 and placed second in 1961 and 1966, with third place finishes in 1955, 1964 and 1965.

John Mayasich, another Eveleth performer, led the Gophers in scoring for four consecutive seasons -- 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955. He led the league in scoring for the season is off 1953, 1954 and 1955. Jim Mattson, from St. Louis Park, was the league's leading goaltender in 1953 and 1954. The Mayasich-Campbell-Dougherty line, which played together as a unit fourth these seasons, was one of the leading lines in college hockey. Mayasich and goalie Jack McCartan played important roles in the success of the 1960 Gold Medal winning U.S. Olympic team. Mayasich was honored by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as being an outstanding high/prep school hockey player in America during the first half of the present century. Another dominant player from the 1950s was that talented forward, Mike Pearson, from Fort Frances, Ontario, who played three seasons of standout hockey at

Minnesota.

The following players who played for Mariucci were selected to the

All-American team: John Mayasich (1953, 1954, 1955), Jim Mattson (1954),

Ken Yackel (1954), Dick Dougherty (1954), Jack McCartan (1957, 1958),

Dick Burg (1958), Mike Pearson (1958), Murray Williamson (1959), Lou

Nanne (1963), Craig Falkman (1964), and Doug Woog (1965).

Under Mariucci, the following players from this era were selected

All-WIHL or WCHA: Mattson, Mayasich, Wegleitner, Dougherty, Yackel,

McCartan, Nanne, Woog and Gary Gambucci. Additionally John Mariucci,

coached players who were members of the U.S. National and/or U.S.

Olympic teams were as follows: Campbell, Dougherty, Mayasich, Dick

Meredith, Wayne Meredith, John Petroske, Oscar Mahle, Donald Vaia,

Burg, McCartan, John Newkirk, Jim Westby, Gerald Westby, Robert Turk,

Thomas Riley, David Rovick, Larry Alm, Herb Brooks, David Brooks, Gary

Schmalzbauer, Tom McCoy, Larry Johnson, Larry Smith, Falkman, Len

Lilyhom, David Metzen, Glen Marien, Donald Norqual, Myron Grafstrom,

Doug Woog, Jack Dale, Lou Nanne, Larry Stordahl, Jim Stordahl, Jerry

Melnychuk, Gary Gambucci, Michael Larson, John Lothrop and Wendell

Anderson. Mattson, McCartan, Larson and John Lothrop were Goalies

who saw extensive duty during the 1950’s and 1960’s.

During the period from 1950 through 1972 the following players led the Gophers in scoring:

YearNameGPGATP

* Led WCHA in scoring** Led league in scoring

It is interesting to note that in the four-year period from 1961-1964 three of the scoring leaders- namely, Norman, Constantine and Nystrom -were Eveleth products.

Mention should be made of two Gopher forward lines that were an important part of the Minnesota hockey scene during the 1960s. These are the David Brooks- Len Lilyholm- Gary Schmalzbauer “Buzzsaw Line” of the 1961-1963 era, and the Mike Crupi- Greg Hughes- Rob Shattuck combination that played in the late 1960s. It is interesting to note that of the six players only Lilyholm, who hailed from Robbinsdale, did not play high school hockey for the St. Paul Johnson Governors.

Lou Nanne won the 1963 WCHA scoring title with 14 goals and 29 assists in a 29 game schedule. He became the first defense men in the history of the WIHL (WCHA) to accomplish the feat.

During the 1955-1956 season Marsh Ryman, Captain of the 1932 Gopher six, replaced Mariucci as the Minnesota mentor on an interim basis when Mariucci took over the coaching duties of the 1956 U.S. Olympic team and led them to a Silver Medal at the Winter Games in Cortina, Italy. Ryman, who later became Athletic Director at Minnesota, coached the team to a fourth place finish in the WIHL.

League opponents scheduled regularly during this period were Colorado College, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech and North Dakota. Denver, a member of the league, was not scheduled for several years as the Gophers did not approve their use of older and more experienced Canadian players. During the Mariucci years, teams added to the schedule were: RPI, Boston College, Boston University, U.S. nationals, U.S. Olympics, Czech Nationals, Providence, McMasters, Northeastern and Army.

After 13 seasons, Mariucci was fired from coaching duties and took a position with a newly formed Minnesota North Stars. Known as the “Godfather of Hockey” in the state of Minnesota, he did more than any other individual to popularize the sport in the state. A much sought after speaker, he gave freely of his time to further advance the game in Minnesota and surrounding areas. He led the Gopher hockey team to national prominence. Attendance at home games increased greatly during his reign. The record crowd for a Minnesota game was set January 18, 1956 against North Dakota as 9,490 fans crowded into Williams Arena. Later the Minneapolis Fire Marshall reduced the allowable attendance in the rink to 7,600.

After their playing days, former Gophers Herb Brooks, Larry Johnson, Ken Yackel, Murray Williamson, Bob Johnson, Lou Nanne and Doug Woog continued on to successful coaching and management careers. In the 1970s Brooks led the Gophers to three NCAA championships and one second-place finish. Following his Minnesota coaching career he led the 1980 U.S. Olympic team to the Gold Medal at Lake Placid, N.Y. later in his duties led him to the National Hockey League where he directed the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and New Jersey Devils.

Bob Johnson, a product of Minneapolis Central high school, played for the Gophers in 1954 and 1955. Following high school coaching careers at Warroad and Minneapolis Roosevelt, he took over the reins at Colorado College. After several years at Colorado College he moved to Wisconsin where, in a period of 11 years, he led the Badgers to three NCAA Championships and one runner-up spot. In 1982 Johnson migrated to the NHL to coach the Calgary Flames for five seasons. The fall of 1990 found him at the helm of the Pittsburgh Penguins, where in his first season, that of 1990-1991, he led the team to the Stanley Cup. In the fall of 1991 Johnson died of brain cancer at the age of 60.

Lou Nanne, a Gopher defensemen from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, after playing with the Minnesota North Stars managed the team for 11 seasons, 1977-1978 through 1987-1988. In addition, he coached the North Stars for a short time during the 1977-1978 season.

Ken Yackel, who also played baseball and football in addition to hockey at Minnesota, coached high school hockey, the Minneapolis Millers of the International Hockey League and the 1965 U.S. Nationals. During the season of 1971-1972 he replaced Sonmor as Gopher mentor on an interim basis. He died in 1991 at the age of 59.

Murray Williamson, one of the few Canadian players to play for Mariucci, coached three U.S. National teams, those of 1967, 1970 and 1971. In addition, he coached the 1968 U.S. Olympic sextet as the Silver Medalist 1972 team. For several seasons he coached senior and junior teams in the state.

Doug Woog, another Gopher player who had a successful coaching career at Minnesota, took over the position for the 1985-1986 season. Before accepting the Gophers spot Woog had 19 years of experience coaching at South St. Paul high school, the St. Paul Vulcans, and at the U.S. National Juniors. Through his first seven years of experience as coach at Minnesota Woogs teams had a 228-85-11 record, giving him a winning percentage of .720%, the highest of any college coach in the nation. He led his teams to seven consecutive NCAA appearances and the NCAA Final Four, four times.

Another notable figure from the Mariucci era was Wendell Anderson, a St. Paul Johnson graduate, who played defense for the Maroon and Gold in 1952, 1953 and 1954. He was also a member of the second-place 1956 U.S. Olympic team. Anderson entered Minnesota politics at an early age and by the 1960s was a prominent Democratic party figure in the state's politics. He was Governor of Minnesota during the 1970s, and in 1978 was all pointed to the US Senate to fill out the vacancy caused by Walter Mondale's decision to run as Democratic vice President.

Edina’s Larry Johnson, an all around athlete who played football and hockey at Minnesota, became active in USA hockey activities. He managed the 1984, 1988 and 1992 U.S. Olympic six is in addition to other USA hockey teams.

Glen Sonmor Era:

1966-1967 through 1971-1972

After the 1965-1966 season, Mariucci was dismissed of his coaching position by A.D. Marsh Ryman.Glen Sonmor, a former Minneapolis Millers and professional hockey player and experienced coach, who at one time had been Mariucci’s freshman coach, became the Gophers seventh mentor.

In five seasons plus part of another, Sonmor posted a 79-82-6 record. After he left early in the season of 1971-1972 to join the newly formed Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association (WHA), he was replaced by interim coach Ken Yackel.

With a season record 21-12, and a 18-8 finish in the WCHA, the Gophers captured the 1969-19760 season title edging out Denver and Michigan Tech. Goalie Murray McLachlan and the pint-sized Mike Antonovich from Greenway of Coleraine led the Maroon and Gold to the league championship. In the finals of the WCHA playoffs, Michigan Tech edged the Gophers 6-5 to dash any hopes that they had of going to the NCAA tournament. In 1971 the upstart Gophers, saddled with a losing regular season of 11-16-2, advanced to the NCAA finals at Syracuse before losing to Boston University 4-2. In the semi-final game Minnesota edged Harvard 6-5. Frank Sanders, Mike Antonovich, Dennis Erickson, John Matschke, Wally Olds, Craig Sarner, Doug Peltier and Dean Blais were among the players who took a leading role in the surprising finish of the 1971 team. McIntosh and Blais were selected to the All-Tournament NCAA team.

From the Sonmor era, Wally Olds (1970), Gary Gambucci (1968), and Murray McLachlan (1970), were chosen to the All-American team. In 1968 Bill Klatt led the WCHA in scoring with 23 goals and 20 assists in 31 games.

Players from this period who became members of the U.S. Nationals or the U.S. Olympics were Peter Fichuk, Bruce McIntosh, Wally Olds, Frank Sanders, Craig Sarner, Dean Blais, Mike Polich, Mike Antonovich, Gary Gambucci and James Branch. Players from this era who turned professional include: Mike Antonovich, Bill Butters, Dean Blais, Brad Buetow, Bill Klatt, Bruce McIntosh, Craig Sarner, Frank Sanders, Gary Gambucci and Pat Westrum.

Team met during this time, not played previously, were St. Lawrence, Ohio State and Colgate. Three new teams joined the WCHA during this period- Minnesota Duluth in 1966-1967, Wisconsin in 1969-1970 and Notre Dame in 1972-1973.

Herb Brooks Era:

1972-1973 through 1978-1979

Herb Brooks became the eight Minnesota coach when he replaced Glen Sonmor for the 1972-1973 season. Brooks, who grew up in the hockey-happy East Side of St. Paul came from a hockey conscious family. His father had been a well known amateur player in the 1920’s and his brother, David, had been a member of the Gophers in the early 1960’s and the 1964 U.S. Olympic team.

In addition to his playing for Minnesota in the late 1950s, he had been a member of five U.S. National sextets and the 1964 and 1968 U.S. Olympic Teams. Prior to his appointment as Gopher mentor, Brooks had coached Minnesota junior teams and had been an assistant to Glen Sonmor.

Having extensive playing experience in European hockey it was only natural that he became interested in the game as played by the Russians and Czechs. He became an advocate of the Russian style of play and the coaching of Anatoli Tarasov. Brooks, who had a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, employed some of his learning in this field to motivate his players with the will to win.

In his second season, that of 1973-19 74, with a 22-12-6 overall record, the Gophers captured their first NCAA title at Boston by edging Boston University 5-4 in the first round and outlasting Michigan Tech 4-2 in the finals. Brad Shelstad, who had played at Minneapolis Southwest, was chosen as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Les Auge and Hibbing’s Mike Polich were placed on the All-Tournament squad. During the season Minnesota had finished second in the WCHA race to Michigan Tech.

In 1975 the Gophers won the WCHA with a 24-8-0 mark in the NCAA Tournament held in St. Louis they defeated Harvard 6-4 as Warren Miller got the first hat trick of his career. In the finals they lost 6-1 to Michigan Tech, which had finished second to them in the WCHA. Miller and defenseman Reed Larson were picked for the All-Tournament team.

The following spring of 1976 the Maroon and Gold won the NCAA crown for a second time in three seasons. In the tournament held at Denver, Boston University was Minnesota’s first opponent, losing to the Gophers by a 4-2 score in a rough game. In the NCAA final game Minnesota edged arch-rival Michigan Tech 6-4. In the final game Gopher Tom Mohr, a seldom used goalie, replaced a sick Jeff Tscherne in the nets and proved to be the hero of the championship game. Minnesota’s Tom Vannelli, who had amassed two goals and four assists in the two games, was chosen as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. After the win Minnesota's Pat Phippen remarked, “they called us shabby, they called us inconsistent, now they call us NCAA champions.”

The Gophers had finished third in the WCHA race. To get to the NCAA Final Four Minnesota endured plenty of trouble from Michigan State in the leagues final playoffs as the Spartans tied the Gophers in the first contest and lost to them in the second game 7-6 in three overtimes. A partial list of the 1976 team members include: Jim Boo, Joe Micheletti, Russ Anderson, Warren Miller, Phil Verchota, Brad Morrow, Tom Gorence, Reed Larson, Robin Larson, Bill Baker, Joe Baker, Mark Lambert, Tom Vannelli, Joe Bonk and Pat Phippen.

In the 1976-1977 season the Gophers with a 17-22-3 overall season lost to the Wisconsin Badgers in the WCHA playoffs. The following season- with a fourth place league finish- Minnesota lost in the playoffs to Colorado College.

At Detroit in 1979 Brooks led the team to their third NCAA crown in seven years of coaching at Minnesota by edging New Hampshire and North Dakota by identical 4-3 scorers in Detroit. During the 1978-1979 season the Gophers had finished second to North Dakota in the WCHA race. Steve Janaszak, Minnesota's goalie, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Mike Ramsey, Eric Strobel and Steve Christoff were placed on the NCAA All-Tournament team. Although the Brooks led teams did not enjoy a winning record against Wisconsin, they did post a respectable 52-34-4 effort against there are three big rivals-North Dakota, UMD and Wisconsin.

After the Badgers joined the WCHA and their teams became a factor in the league races, a big rivalry built up between the two colleges. When the teams met, feelings of the fans ran high and the language employed likewise. In the book “One Goal”, by John Powers and Art Kaminsky, they describe Badger Bob Johnson and Herb Brooks as follows: “They'd both graduated from the ‘U’ and both were driven, compulsive people. But there were important differences, too. Brooks was tightlipped, a blunt, and often critical. Johnson was hyperactive, garrulous, and unabashedly boosterish. Brooks was mysterious and enigmatic, always keeping you off base. With Johnson, no guessing was necessary; if you didn't know what he was doing and why, he would tell you-a dozen times.”

Mike Polich led the Gophers in scoring three years in a row -- in 1973, 1974 and 1975. In 1976 and 1977 Tom Vannelli won the scoring title, while Steve Christoff did likewise in 1978 and 1979. Three Minnesota goalies in succession were selected as the leading goaltenders in the WCHA: Brad Shelstad in 1973-1974, Larry Thayer in 1974-1975 and Jeff Tscherne in 1975-1976. All-WCHA selections during the Brooks era included: Brad Shelstad (1974), Mike Polich (1975), Reed Larson (1976), and Bill Baker (1979), while Les Auge (1975), Mike Polich (1976) and Bill Baker (1979) won All- American honors.

Nine players whom Brooks had coached at Minnesota were selected by Brooks as members of the 1980 Gold Medal US Olympic team. These players were Neal Broten, Bill Baker, Steve Janaszak, Eric Strobel, Phil Verchota, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider, Rob McClanahan and Steve Christoff. Gopher All-American selections whom played during the Brooks reign included: Les Auge, Mike Polich, Tim Harrer, Neal Broten and Steve Ulseth. Mike Polich, Rob Harris, Brad Morrow, Les Auge, Pat Phippen, Tom Vannelli, Tom Younghans and Steve Ulseth are other Gophers who played for various U.S. Olympic/National teams.

Twenty-three former Gophers from the 1970s period have played in the NHL. With the number of years that they have played in the NHL in parenthesis, they are as follows: Russ Anderson (10), Mike Antonovich (5), Les Auge (1), Bob Bergloff (1), Bill Baker (3), Jim Boo (1), Neal Broten (12), Bill Butters (2), Steve Christoff (5), Tom Gorence (6), Tim Harrer (1), Paul Holmgren (10), Steve Janaszak (2), Reed Larson (14), Rob McClanahan (5), Murray McLachlan (1), Pat Micheletti (1), Joe Micheletti (3), Warren Miller (4), Mike Polich (5), Mike Ramsey (13), Craig Sarner (7), and Tom Younghans(6). Holmgren, a graduate of St. Paul's Harding high school, is one of the few Americans to have coached in the NHL. He was Head Coach for the Philadelphia Flyers for the 1988-1991 seasons, and in 1992 became the Head Coach of the Hartford Whalers.

Brad Buetow Era:

1979-1980 through 1984-1985

Brad Buetow, who had played under Brooks and was his assistant coach, took over head coaching duties at Minnesota on an interim basis for the 1979-1980 season as Brooks was at the helm of the U.S. Olympic team. Buetow was an all-around athlete at Mounds View high school and followed a similar path at Minnesota where he competed in varsity football, track and hockey. He played pro with the Cleveland Crusaders of the WHA.

With the losses all the Mike Ramsey, Neal Broten, Rob McClanahan,

Eric Strobel and Steve Christoff to the Olympics, all of whom had

eligibility remaining at Minnesota, Buetow faced a tough job of replacing

them. However, the Gophers finished with an overall record of 26-15 and

surprisingly second in the league with the help of Tim Harrer, who led the

WCHA in scoring and set a new school record of 45 goals for the season.

Aaron Broten- one of the three Broten brothers from Roseau who have

played for the Gophers- Steve Ulseth, Peter Hayek, Bob Bergloff, David H.

Jensen, Mike Knoke and goalies Jim Jetland and Paul Butters were among

those who helped fill the spots left by those who departed to play for the

U.S. Olympic team.

In the WCHA playoffs the Gophers defeated Michigan Tech and

Colorado College, but lost to Northern Michigan 4-3 in a one-game

playoff at Minneapolis, ending any chance of competing in the NCAA final

four at Providence, R.I.

With an overall finish of 31-12 Buetow led the 1980-1981 team to the

WCHA title, finishing ahead of Michigan Tech and Wisconsin by six points.

Neal Broten returned from the Olympics to join his brother Aaron and Butsy

Erickson, to form the best line in college hockey. Both Brotens and Steve

Ulseth were voted to the All-WCHA team. Ulseth captured the WCHA the

scoring title, and Aaron Broten scored 106 total points for the season, leading the nation in scoring. Many old-time hockey fans compared the 1980-1981 line with the best in Gopher history. For comparison they cite the Ryman-Todd-Parker and the Russ-Gray-Munns lines of the 1930’s, the 1940 line of Paulson-St. Vincent- Pickering, and the early 1950’s combination of Mayasich-Campbell-Dougherty. Among the players who played a prominent role in the team’s success were: Paul Butters, Jim Jetland, Jeff Teal, Mike Knoke, Kevin Hartzell, Mike Meadows, Bart Larson, Bob Bergloff, David H. Jenson and Scott Bjugstad. Jeff Teal and Bill Butters, from Rochester, were among the first players from southern Minnesota to play for the Gophers. The team’s entire roster was composed of Minnesota natives.

In the WCHA playoffs the Gophers defeated Colorado College and UMD. Minnesota then defeated the small but prestigious Colgate University of Hamilton, N.Y., by 9-4 and 5-4 scores in the NCAA playoffs, thus allowing Minnesota to enter the NCAA Final Four in Duluth. The highly regarded Gophers outlasted Michigan Tech 7-2 in the opener, but were upset 6-3 in the finals by Wisconsin. The Badgers had been voted back into the NCAA tournament after having lost in the WCHA playoffs. This surprise action by the NCAA is how the moniker, “Back-Door-Badgers” originated.

Defenseman Mike Knoke and Aaron Broten were selected to the NCAA Final Four All-Star team. Neal Broten has the honor of being chosen as the first recipient of the Hobey Baker Award. Many Gopher hockey followers considered the 1980-1981 team to be among the very best to ever have represented the University of Minnesota in its 60 years of varsity hockey.

At the end of the 1980-1981 season, Notre Dame, Michigan Tech, Michigan State and Michigan left the WCHA to join the more compact Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). This resulted in the WCHA being reduced to a six-team circuit, which operated as such until Michigan Tech rejoined and Northern Michigan entered the league for the first time in 1984-1985 to form an eight-team league.

Predicted to finish fourth or fifth in the WCHA, the 1981-1982 Gophers finished third in the league to the strong North Dakota and Wisconsin sextets. Butsy Erickson led the Minnesota team in scoring with 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 total points. Other scoring leaders include forwards Kevin Hartzell, Scott Bjugstad and Rick Erdall, while Tom Hirsch and David H. Jensen led the defense, and Paul Ostby and Jim Jetland saw the most duty in goal. In the first round of the WCHA playoffs Minnesota defeated Colorado College 9-4 in a two game total goal series at Minneapolis. In the finals held at Madison the Gophers split with host Wisconsin, but lost the series on total goals, thus ending their hope for an NCAA spot.

In 1982-1983 Minnesota won its second league crown in three years as they posted a 18-7-1 WCHA finish and a 33-12-1 overall season. A talented group of freshman joined the team including goalie Frank Pietrangelo, Corey Millen, Wally Chapman, Tony Kellin and Mike Anderson.

In league playoffs the Maroon and Gold defeated UMD but lost to Wisconsin in the WCHA finals. However, both Minnesota and Wisconsin advanced to the NCAA first round where Minnesota outplayed New Hampshire 9-7 and 6-2.

The NCAA Final Four at Grand Forks found the Gophers losing their opening game to Harvard 5-3 and to providence 4-3 in the consolation contest.

During the season after the first 28 games, The Gophers posted a respectable 23-4-1 record. Scott Bjugstad headed the league’s scoring parade with 21 goals and 35 assists for 56 total points, while forwards Erickson, Millen, Erdall and Steve Griffith and defenseman Larson, Hirsch and Jensen were among the team’s top scorers.

The Gophers, with a 16-9-1 WCHA finish, captured third place in the 1983-1984 league race trailing UMD and North Dakota. UMD, under their newly appointed coach Mike Sertich, won the WCHA title with a 19-5-2 record. With the likes of Tom Kurvers, Bill Watson, Rick Kosti and Norm Maciver the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Final Four where they lost to Bowling Green 5-4 in four overtime periods.

In the WCHA playoffs Minnesota defeated Colorado College 3-1 and 4-1 and were edged by the North Dakota Sioux 4-3 and 5-4 in the finals at Grand Forks. UMD, North Dakota, Michigan State and Bowling Green advanced to the NCAA Final Four at Lake Placid, N.Y. Tom Rothstein, of Grand Rapids, paced the Gophers in scoring with 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 total points in 39 games. Pat Micheletti, Jeff Larson, Tony Kellin and Todd Okerlund followed in the scoring race. Frank Pietrangelo and Edina’s Mike Vacanti split the goaltending duties.

Buetow posted his sixth straight winning season in 1984-1985 with a 31-13-3 overall finish. With a 21-10-3 record the Gophers ended up second to UMD in the WCHA race.

The season was the first that the WCHA and Hockey East played an interlocking schedule with each WCHA team playing a two game series against each of the seven Hockey East teams. The Hockey East was composed of Boston University, Boston College, Providence, Maine, New Hampshire, Lowell and Northeastern. Minnesota's record against Hockey East opponents for the initial season of completion was 10-3-1.

In the WCHA playoffs Minnesota won a two-game total series from Colorado College and Wisconsin and lost to UMD 10-8. In the NCAA playoffs in Boston the Gophers lost to Boston College 9-8 in a two game total-goal set. The NCAA Final Four staged in Detroit for UMD losing to RPI 6-5 in three overtime periods in the first round. RPI went on to capture the NCAA crown by edging Providence 2-1.

Pat Micheletti paced the Gopher scorers for the season with 48 goals and 48 assists for 96 total points in 44 games. Two centers, Erdall and Corey Millen, followed Micheletti in the scoring race, while two Iron Rangers, Tony Kellin and Captain Mike Guentzel, led the defense. John Blue was chosen the leading goalie in the WCHA.

Players from the Buetow era who were selected to the WCHA All-Star team include: Tim Harrer (1980), Aaron Broten (1981), Neal Broten (1982), Steve Ulseth (1981), Scott Bjugstad (1983), Erickson (1983), Rothstein (1984) and Micheletti (1985). Gophers from this period who played on U.S. Olympic/National teams are as follows: Ostby, Bjugstad, Griffith, Hirsch, Jensen, Millen, John Blue, Aaron Broten, Erickson, Okerlund and Steve MacSwain. The following players have competed in the NHL: Tim Bergland, Blue, Bjugstad, Erickson, Aaron and Neal Broten, Jensen, Millen, Micheletti, Okerlund and Frank Pietrangelo. From Roseau in northwestern Minnesota, Aaron and Neal Broten, along with their younger brother Paul, all played for the Gophers and the NHL. During this period Tim Harrer (1980), Neal Broten (1981), Steve Ulseth (1981), and Pat Micheletti (1985) were accorded All-American honors.

Following the 1984-1985 season Brad Buetow- who never experienced a losing season, and ended his six-year Minnesota coaching career with a 171-75-8 record- was released from his position by the University of Minnesota Athletic Department. Athletic Director Paul Giel refused to give any reason for Buetow's dismissal. Buetow finished his six-year reign with a winning percentage of .689%, highest since Emil Iverson's era of 1923-1924 through 1929-1930. After leaving Buetow coached the U.S. International team in San Diego and again within the WCHA when he lead Colorado College for 2 years from 1990-1991 through 1991-1992.

Doug Woog Era:

1985-1986 through 1998-1999

Don Lucia Era:

1999-2000 through present

COMING SOON!!

1950

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1953

1954

1955

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1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970

1972

Russel Strom

Jack Bonner

Cal Engelstad

John Mayasich

** John Mayasich

Kenneth Yackel, Sr.

Terry Bartholome

Richard Burg

Stu Anderson

Jerry Melnychuk

Jerry Norman

Ron Constantine

* Lou Nanne

Roy Nystrom

Doug Woog

Gary Gambucci

Jack Dale

* Bill Klatt, Jr.

Peter Fichuk

Mike Antonovich

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Doug Peltier

1903-1904 Gophers Hockey Team Photo**

1914-1915 Gophers Hockey Team Photo**

1933-1934 "Pony Line" Russ-Gray-Munns**

1933-1934 George Clausen**

1933-1934 Wagnild and Holliday**

1946 Tom Karakas**

1951 Russ Strom and Elwyn "Doc" Romnes**

1953 Eveleth natives John Mariucci and John Mayasich**

1959 Myron Grafstrom and Jerry Melnychuk**

1980-1981 Brad Buetow**

1922 Gophers Hockey First "Varsity" Team Photo**

First Team All-Americans

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Seasons in Review 1896-Present

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