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Michigan State UniversityYear: 1986See School Profile Page
Mike Donnelly is an American former ice hockey left wing. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and New York Islanders. A native of Livonia, Mich., Donnelly was a four-year letter winner at MSU, helping his teams combine for a 136-38-3 record in his four years (1983-86). During that span, the Spartans captured three CCHA Tournament titles and two regular season crowns in addition to the 1986 national title. Michigan State also reached the Frozen Four in Donnelly’s sophomore season, and made two other NCAA Tournament appearances during his collegiate career. In 1986, while playing for Michigan State University, Mike scored a total of 97 points which placed him 18th on the all-time points list for single season. Upon the completion of his collegiate career, Donnelly signed a free agent contract with the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, and spent his first professional season with the New Haven Nighthawks in 1986-87, registering 61 points in 58 games. His play earned him a late-season call-up, and Donnelly notched two points in five games with the Rangers that spring. After another year on Broadway, he had a three-year stint in the Buffalo Sabres organization. Donnelly then landed in Los Angeles, where he played in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, falling to the Montreal Canadians in a seven-game series. Playing with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, Donnelly posted three consecutive 20-goal seasons from 1991-94. In 1994, the Kings traded Donnelly to the Dallas Stars, where he spent the next two seasons before ending his NHL career with the New York Islanders in 1996-97. Donnelly played games in both the International Hockey League and the Swiss-A League before retiring in 1998. Overall, Donnelly competed in 465 regular season NHL games, registering 114 goals and 121 assists for 235 points. He also appeared in 47 post-season games, notching 12-12-24 point totals. Donnelly currently resides in Northville, Mich., with his wife, Debbie, and his three daughters – Micaela, and twins Paulina and Alexa. He is employed as an amateur scout for his former team, the Los Angeles Kings. Named Most Outstanding Player and Most Valuable Player of the 1986 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. Donnelly set the 1986 NCAA single season goals record with 59 goals. First-Team All-America selection, and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, 1986

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