Mike Golden was a standout forward for the University of Maine Black Bears, playing a pivotal role in establishing the program as an Eastern hockey power in the late 1980s. After transferring from New Hampshire and sitting out a season, Golden debuted for Maine in 1985 and quickly became one of the nation’s elite scorers. In his senior season, 1987-88, he was named team captain and had a career-best campaign, tallying 75 points (31 goals, 44 assists) in 44 games. His dominant performance that year earned him a selection as an AHCA East Second-Team All-American, an All-Hockey East Second Team member, and, most notably, a Top Ten Finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Award. Golden led Maine to its first-ever NCAA Frozen Four appearance that season.

Despite being drafted in the second round (40th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, Mike Golden’s professional career was spent entirely in the minor leagues. After his rights were traded to the New York Rangers, he began his pro career in the Rangers’ farm system, playing for teams like the Denver Rangers and Binghamton Rangers. Golden spent the majority of his professional career in the International Hockey League (IHL) with the Flint Spirits and Milwaukee Admirals over four seasons from 1988 to 1991. Although he never made it to the NHL, Golden was a productive player in the minors, transitioning to coaching and eventually serving as an assistant coach for his high school team after his retirement from playing.