1985 Winner – BILL WATSON of University of Minnesota-Duluth

The WCHA leading scorer in 1984 and 1985,Watson
helped the Bulldogs to WCHA regular season titles in
1984 and 1985, as well as second- and third-place NCAA finishes, respectively, in those seasons. He was on the All-WCHA first team in 1984 and 1985 and was the league’s and team’s Most Valuable Player in 1985. Watson, from Powerview, Manitoba, scored at least one point in 52 of 53 games between December 1984 and March 1985, including a school record 33 consecutive games. He was a two-time All-American and UMD’s season point record holder with 49 goals and 60 assists for 109 points in his Hobey Baker season of 1985. His 1.94 points per game average is a Bulldog career record. Watson played professionally for the Chicago Blackhawks from 1985-89, and spent four seasons coaching at Western Michigan University. Watson lives in Duluth, where he is an assistant coach at UMD and works for Northwestern Mutual Life.

1985 RUNNER-UP

SCOTT FUSCO

Harvard University – Senior – Forward – Burlington, MA

Fusco is an American retired ice hockey play,er who attended the Belmont Hill School. He was also a member of the American 1984 Winter Olympics ice hockey team. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002 and is currently assistant coach of the Irish national hockey team.

1985 ADDITIONAL TOP 10 FINALISTS

ADAM OATES

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Senior – Forward – Weston, Ontario Canada

Adam Oates is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, former co-head coach for the New Jersey Devils and former head coach for the Washington Capitals. He played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Edmonton Oilers. Known as an elite playmaker, his career total of 1,079 assists was the fifth highest total in NHL history at the time of his 2004 retirement. After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils prior to joining the Capitals as their head coach for two seasons between 2012 and 2014. On January 27, 2017, in a ceremony during the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Oates was part of the second group of players to be named one of the ‘100 Greatest NHL Players’ in history. He holds the record for most points all-time of any NHL player who also played NCAA Hockey. As a college player at RPI for three seasons, Oates was a standout forward for the RPI Engineers. He lead the team to the 1985 NCAA National Championship. 1985 proved to be a stand-out year for Oates in college hockey as he established school single-season records for points (91) and assists (60) as well as career assists (150) – all of which he still holds. He also scored 66 goals in his 110 collegiate games. A two-time All-American and All-ECAC selection, he led Rensselaer in assists every year, helping the team to an overall record of 85-19-1 (.814) and two league championships. A management major from Weston, Ont., Oates went on to score 341 goals with 1,079 assists for 1,420 points in 1,337 games for seven NHL teams. A five-time All-Star Game participant, he retired the spring of 2005, ranking fifth all-time in NHL history in assists and 13th in points.

  • First player inducted into PRI Hockey Ring of Honor, 2005.
  • Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 12, 2012 along with Joe Sakic, Pavel Bure, and Mats Sundin.
  • Named one of the ‘100 Greatest NHL Players’ in history.

CRAIG SIMPSON

Michigan State University – Sophomore – Forward – London, Ontario Canada

Craig Simpson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres. He is currently a broadcaster, involved in Hockey Night in Canada telecasts. Simpson played collegiate hockey for the Michigan State Spartans of the NCAA from 1983–84 to 1984–85. He was drafted in the first round, second overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Midway through his third NHL season, he was traded as part of a package to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Paul Coffey. Simpson blossomed in Edmonton, playing on a line with future Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson. He scored a career high 56 regular season goals (combined between Pittsburgh and Edmonton) during the 1987–88 season, and 13 more in the playoffs. He won two Stanley Cups with the Oilers, in 1988 and 1990. He would be dealt to the Buffalo Sabres prior to the 1993-94 season. Simpson suffered a serious back injury in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 1, 1993. Though he continued to play, the injury would eventually end his playing career at age 28. He retired as a player in 1996, finishing with 497 career NHL points. He holds the record for best career shooting percentage (minimum 800 shots) with 23.66%. He also holds the record for best career playoff shooting percentage (minimum 80 shots) with 33.65%, well ahead of second place Ken Linseman (23.21%).

  • Ranked by NHL Central Scounting Bureau as No. 1 overall prospect for the 1985 NHL draft.
  • Youngest Freshman ever to play at Michigan State University.
  • Recipient of the Michigan State Price Award (points leader) 1984-1985 with 84 points.

DAVE FRETZ

Clarkson University – Senior – Defense – Toronto, Ontario Canada

One of the finest skaters to ever grace the ice at Walker Arena, Dave Fretz was an all-star for the Golden Knights during the early 1980s. A defenseman who could skate with the puck from one end of the ice to the other against any team in the country. Every rush by Fretz was a highlight reel waiting to happen. At 5-7, 170-pounds, Fretz may have not been among the most imposing players on the ice, but the Toronto, Ontario native certainly made a big impression as he helped to lead the Green and Gold to an 87-40-7 overall record during his four-year career wearing the Clarkson sweater. Fretz excelled both on and off the ice at Clarkson. One of the few players in Clarkson’s storied hockey tradition to be honored as a two-time All-America, Fretz was was one of four Knights selected to the very prestigious Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Decade Team of the 1980s. During his time in Potsdam, the Knights, guided by head coach Bill O’Flaherty, were among the top teams in the nation and went on to the NCAA Tournament in 1982 and 1984. Fretz also had a taste of international competition during his senior season. While his teammates were playing in the Syracuse Invitational that winter, he was representing his country overseas. He skated with Team Canada in the 1984 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland in late December and helped his homeland win Gold for the first time in the 58-year history of the tournament. The only United States collegiate player on the Canadian roster, Fretz was named to the all-tournament team. As good as he was on the ice, Fretz was even sharper in the classroom. He accumulated numerous academic accomplishments as an excellent student majoring in mechanical and industrial engineering. Fretz was named to Pi Tau Sigma – Mechanical Engineering Society, a Presidential Scholar, listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and a 1984-85 GTE National Academic All-America.

  • Ranked 5th highest-scoring defenseman in Clarkson history with 102 points on 31 goals and 71 assists through 132 games from 1981 – 1984.
  • Selected as one of the Top-50 Players in ECAC Hockey history.li>
  • Inducted into Clarkson Hall of Fame, 2004.

HUBIE MCDONOUGH

Saint Anselm College – Junior – Forward – Manchester, New Hampshire

Hubert “Hubie” McDonough is a retired American professional ice hockey center. He was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft. After playing four seasons of NCAA Division II hockey at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, McDonough made his professional debut with the International Hockey League’s Flint Spirits in the 1986–87 season. McDonough made the National Hockey League in the 1988–89 season, playing in four games with the Los Angeles Kings. McDonough played 22 more games with the Kings in the 1989–90 season before being traded to the New York Islanders, along with Ken Baumgartner, in exchange for Mikko Mäkelä. After McDonough played 139 games with the Islanders over three seasons, they traded him to the San Jose Sharks for cash before the 1992–93 season. McDonough played 30 games with the Sharks that season, and then spent the remainder of his career in the minor leagues: seven seasons in the IHL, including four with the Orlando Solar Bears, and five games of the 2001–02 season in the American Hockey League with his hometown Manchester Monarchs. In his NHL career, McDonough appeared in 195 games. He scored 40 goals and added 26 assists. He also appeared in five playoff games with the Islanders in 1990, scoring one goal. McDonough has been the Director of Hockey Operations for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League since 2001. He held the same position with the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League for the 2000-01 season, when the team won the Turner Cup. He also was an assistant coach for the Manchester Monarchs in the 2014-2015 season.

  • McDonough’s college jersey (#3) retired by St. Anselm, 2004.
  • Holds the school’s record in Men’s Hockey for most goals (124) and points (210).
  • Awarded Division II NECAC Male Athlete of the Year award, 1986.

KELLY MILLER

Michigan State University – Senior – Forward – Lansing, Michigan

The Lansing, Mich., native became the fourth member of his family (out of an eventual 10) to play hockey at Michigan State when he enrolled in the fall of 1981, and he made an immediate impact for the Spartans. During his four-year Spartan career, MSU compiled a 121-43-3 mark and advanced to the NCAA tournament each season, including a fourth-place finish in 1984. The Spartans also captured four straight Great Lakes Invitational titles and four straight CCHA Playoff championships. He closed his career playing in 165 games, posting 82 goals and 82 assists for 164 points. He still ranks tied for 25th on MSU’s all-time scoring list and tied for seventh with nine career short-handed tallies. As a senior captain in 1984-85, he tallied 27 goals and 50 points in 43 games, as the Spartans rolled to 38-6 overall mark and a 27-5 first-place CCHA league finish. A champion in the classroom, Miller was a three-time CCHA All-Academic Team honoree, earning first-team honors in 1984 and 1985. In addition, he earned First-Team Academic All-America distinction in 1985. A ninth-round draft choice of the New York Rangers in 1982, his National Hockey League career spanned more than 1,000 games over 15 seasons, including three years with the New York Rangers and 12 with the Washington Capitals. He developed into one of the top defensive players in the league, registering 181 goals and 463 points. A Selke Trophy finalist (best defensive forward) in 1989, he helped the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, and served as an Assistant Captain for the franchise for more than a decade. He was also the Vice President of the NHL Players Association from 1990-95. Miller started his coaching career in 1999-2000 when he served as an assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins, leading the squad to the Turner Cup Finals. He then was named head coach and general manager of the Capital Centre Pride in the North American Hockey League before moving on to the Anaheim Ducks as an Assistant Coach in 2000-01. He went on to work on the New York Islanders staff as an assistant coach under current Nashville Predators head coach Peter Laviolette from 2001-2003. Miller has extensive international hockey experience with USA Hockey. As a player, he skated for Team USA at the World Junior Championships in 1981, 1982 and 1983. He was captain and team MVP of the 1983 USA squad. He represented the USA in three World Championships (1986, 1989, 1999), and played in the 1987 Canada Cup. As an Assistant Coach, he helped the USA to a gold medal at the Four Nations Cup in 2000. He also served as an Athlete Director and Junior Council Member for USA Hockey from 1995-2001. In August 2015 he served as a guest coach at the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp. Miller holds a B.A. in Business Administration and his M.B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University. In addition to a life in hockey, he has spent two years in commercial real estate and several years in the banking industry. He and his wife Shelby have three daughters: Taylor and Chelsey are both graduates of Michigan State, and their youngest, Ashton, is on the women’s soccer team at Duke. {insert Bio Paragraph}

  • Selected as Spartans MVP, 1985.
  • Earned First-Team All-America honors, 1985.
  • Miller was honored as the MSU hockey program’s Distinguished Spartan in 2003.

PAT MICHELETTI

University of Minnesota – Senior – Forward – Hibbing, Minnesota

Pat Micheletti is a former American ice hockey center who appeared in a total of 12 National Hockey League regular season games with the Minnesota North Stars in 1987-88 but spent most of his career in the minor leagues. The North Stars selected Micheletti with the 185th overall pick in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He also played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s ice hockey team. One of nine children, Pat Micheletti’s brother Joe Micheletti also played in the NHL. In 1985-86 Micheletti played two games with the AHL’s Springfield Indians after finishing his NCAA career. He tallied one goal. In 1986-87 he played 67 games with the Indians, scoring 17 goals and 43 points. In 1987-88 Micheletti played his entire 12-game NHL career with the Minnesota North Stars where he had two goals. Micheletti was offered a lucrative deal to play in Italy in the fall of 1988 with HC Varese. He continued to play in Italy with Varese and HC Asagio before retiring after the 1991-92 season

  • Second leading scorer in Gopher History with 120 goals and 269 points.
  • Inducted into the U of MN Hall of Fame, 2014
  • Nominated First Team All-WCHA, and First Team All-America, 1985.

RAY STASZAK

University of Illinois – Chicago – Senior – Forward – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ray Staszak is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings. Staszak played only four regular season games for the Wings, despite being a highly touted prospect. After an intense bidding war, he was the first million dollar college free agent to sign with an NHL team.[1] Staszak played high school hockey at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia, and also participated in midget hockey in his native Bucks County. He later played in the USHL.

  • Fist UIC hockey player inducted into Hall of Fame, 1990.
  • Received the Mark Nordling Award for his devotion to his teammates and the sport of hockey.
  • Signed with Detroit Red Wings, 1985. At the time, it was the largest sum a rookie in the NHL had ever received.

TIM ARMY

Providence College – Senior – Forward – Providence, Rhode Island

Army played four seasons at Providence College with the Providence Friars, where during the 1984–85 season the school transitioned from the ECAC to Hockey East. He was part of the Friars squad that captured the inaugural Hockey East tournament championship in 1985 and made it to the NCAA Championship Game. Army was a Hockey East all-league selection as well as an All-American during that campaign. Army has served as an assistant coach for the United States men’s national ice hockey team at the 1994 and 1996 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships, and at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and also the 2012 World Cup of Hockey. Army has a long-time history and association with Providence hockey. After playing three seasons with the Friars from 1982-85, he served as an assistant coach under Mike McShane from 1989 through 1993. The Providence Friar’s named Army as the school’s men’s ice hockey coach in 2005.

  • Named All-Hockey East First Team, 1984-1985.
  • Drafted to NHL by Colorado Rockies,1981.
  • Pivotal part of the Friar’s most successful class, which went 97-50-8 over four years.