WCHA's Top 50 Players in 50 Years
Feb. 15, 2002
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MADISON, Wisc. The Western Collegiate Hockey Association and Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod today (Feb. 15) announced the fourth 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:
- Aaron Broten (F, University of Minnesota, 1980-81)
- Chris Chelios (D, University of Wisconsin, 1981-83)
- Curtis Joseph (G, University of Wisconsin, 1988-89)
- Norm Maciver (D, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1982-86)
- Bill Masterton (F, University of Denver, 1958-61)
- Corey Millen (F, University of Minnesota, 1983-87)
- Eddie Mio (G, Colorado College, 1972-76)
- James Patrick (D, University of North Dakota, 1981-83)
- Mel Wakabayashi (F, University of Michigan, 1964-66)
- Mike Zuke (F, Michigan Tech University, 1972-76)
"As each group of 10 honorees for the Top 50 Players in 50 Years has shown," said WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod, "these players were all terrific competitors and are certainly among the best ever in college hockey. They are players that are symbolic of the league's on-going successes over the past 50 years and we congratulate them all for their tremendous achievements."
All 10 of these players earned all-conference acclaim during their collegiate careers and eight were All-Americans. The group also includes three WCHA Most Valuable Players, three members of the AHCA's (American Hockey Coaches Association) All-Time West Team (selected in 1997), four WCHA Rookies of the Year, the WCHA's second all-time scorer, nine who went on to play in the National Hockey League, a Stanley Cup winner, four Olympians, three U.S. National Team members, two members of the NCAA's 50th Anniversary Team (1997), and two Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists.
The 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 clips from conference alumni that will be shown throughout the 2002 Dodge 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. 50th Anniversary WCHA Yearbooks and merchandise are available through the league's on-line store at www.wcha.com.
Nominations for the Top 50 Players in 50 Years were made over the summer by current and past member schools and also include recommendations from a committee that was appointed by Commissioner McLeod to select the top 50 honorees. The initial group of 10 (November) were:
- Lou Angotti (F, Michigan Tech, 1959-62)
- Scott Beattie (F, Northern Michigan, 1989-92)
- Greg Johnson (F, North Dakota, 1989-93)
- Keith Magnuson (D, Denver, 1967-69)
- John Matchefts (F, Michigan, 1951-53)
- Craig Norwich (D, Wisconsin, 1974-77)
- Bill Nyrop (D, Notre Dame, 1971-74)
- Doug Palazzari (F, Colorado College, 1970-74)
- Mark Pavelich (F, Minnesota-Duluth, 1976-79)
- Robb Stauber (G, Minnesota, 1986-89)
The second group of 10 (December) were:
- Red Berenson (F, Michigan, 1959-62)
- Tony Esposito (G, Michigan Tech, 1964-67)
- Bret Hedican (D, St. Cloud State, 1988-91)
- Brett Hull (F, Minnesota-Duluth, 1984-86)
- Mark Johnson (F, Wisconsin, 1976-79)
- George Konik (D, Denver, 1958-61)
- Reg Morelli (F, North Dakota, 1957-60)
- Lou Nanne (D, Minnesota, 1959-63)
- Tom Ross (F, Michigan State, 1972-76)
- Brian Swanson (F, Colorado College, 1995-99)
The third group of 10 (January) were:
- Henry Akervall (D, Michigan Tech, 1959-62)
- Keith 'Huffer' Christiansen (F, Minnesota-Duluth, 1963-67)
- Dave Delich (F, Colorado College, 1975-79)
- Dallas Drake (F, Northern Michigan, 1988-92)
- Mike Eaves (F, Wisconsin, 1974-78)
- Ron Grahame (G, Denver, 1969-73)
- Tony Hrkac (F, North Dakota, 1984-87)
- Tom Kurvers (D, Minnesota-Duluth, 1980-84)
- John Mayasich (F, Minnesota, 1951-55)
- Bill Steenson (D, North Dakota, 1956-59)
The final ten selections to the Top 50 Players in 50 Years will be released in March.
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