University of Michigan Hall of Honor
Wakabayashi, Mel
Mel Wakabayashi
- Induction:
- 2006
- Class:
- 1966
Mel Wakabayashi was selected as one of the top 50 players in the WCHA during the hockey league’s 50th anniversary, and it is easy to see why. The All-America forward not only was U-M’s scoring champion in 1965 and 1966, he also led the WCHA in scoring and was named the team and WCHA MVP in both of those years. As a sophomore, he scored two goals in the 6-3 victory over Denver in the 1964 NCAA championship title game. Not only was he a great player, during his entire career Wakabayashi received only one minor penalty. A great athlete, he also lettered as a second baseman on the U-M baseball team and was given an opportunity to try out for the Detroit Tigers. After graduating from U-M, he signed with the Detroit Red Wings and eventually played hockey in Japan after a brief stint in the minors in the U.S. In 1980, he coached the Japanese Olympic hockey team.
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