Western Collegiate Hockey Association
Third Group of 10 Honorees Announced
Jan. 23, 2002
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MADISON, Wisc. - The Western Collegiate Hockey Association and Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod today (Jan. 23) announced the third group of 10 honorees in conjuction with the league's 50th anniversary promotion - The Top 50 Players in 50 Years. In alphabetical order, they are:
- Henry Akervall (D, Michigan Tech University, 1959-62)
- Keith 'Huffer' Christiansen (F, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1963-67)
- Dave Delich (F, Colorado College, 1975-79)
- Dallas Drake (F,Northern Michigan University, 1988-92)
- Mike Eaves (F, University of Wisconsin, 1974-78)
- Ron Grahame (G, University of Denver, 1969-73)
- Tony Hrkac (F, University of North Dakota, 1984-87)
- Tom Kurvers (D, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1980-84)
- John Mayasich (F, University of Minnesota, 1951-55)
- Bill Steenson (D, University of North Dakota, 1956-59)
"The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is extremely proud to announce this next group of 10 honorees for our Top 50 Players in 50 Years promotion," said McLeod. "Every one of these players was an outstanding competitor in their respective era and they indeed represent some of the best college hockey players ever at their positions. We are all proud to claim them as WCHA alumni."
All 10 of these players earned All-WCHA acclaim and nine were All-Americans during their collegiate careers. The group also includes five WCHA Most Valuable Players, five members of the AHCA's (American Hockey Coaches Association) All-Time West Team (selected in 1997), a WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, a WCHA Rookie of the Year, the WCHA's all-time leading goal scorer, the WCHA's second all-time points producer in league games, five who went on to play in the National Hockey League, two Stanley Cup winners, three Olympians, a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member, five U.S. National Team members, two members of the NCAA's 50th Anniversary Team (1997), and two Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners.
The WCHA's Top 50 Players in 50 Years is part of the league's 50th anniversary season promotions that include commemorative logos, team and referee uniform patches, in-arena banners and signage, a special edition 50th Anniversary men's yearbook, official merchandise, and video and audio clips from past and present coaches and players that will be shown throughout the 2002 WCHA Final Five at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, March 14, 15 and 16. Final Five tickets are available by phoning Ticketmaster at 651 989-5151 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
