Wakabayashi Named One of WCHA's Top 50 Players
2/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Wakabayashi joins Minnesota forward Aaron Broten (1980-81), Wisconsin defenseman Chris Chelios (1981-83), Wisconsin goaltender Curtis Joseph (1988-89), Minnesota-Duluth defenseman Norm Maciver (1982-86), Denver forward Bill Masterton (1958-61), Minnesota forward Corey Millen (1983-87), Colorado College goaltender Eddie Mio (1972-76), North Dakota defenseman James Patrick (1981-83) and Michigan Tech forward Mike Zuke (1972-76) as the most recent 10 selections to the team. The final 10 players will be announced in early March.
The WCHA's Top 50 Players in 50 Years is part of the league's 50th anniversary celebration. Nominations for the Top 50 Players in 50 Years were made over the summer by current and past member schools and include recommendations from a committee that was appointed by WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod to select the 50 honorees.
Wakabayashi joins Red Berenson (F, 1960-62) and John Matchefts (F, 1951-53) as Michigan players selected to the squad.
Michigan spent 29 years (1952-81) as a member of the WCHA before joining the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in 1981-82.
Following is biographical information on Wakabayashi:
First-Team All-American in 1965 ... named WCHA Most Valuable Player 1966 ... WCHA scoring champion in 1964-65 with 13 goals, 17 assists and 30 points in 18 games ... named to Denver Post/All-WCHA First Team in 1965 ... was a Denver Post/All-WCHA Second Team honoree in 1966 ... helped University of Michigan to the NCAA championship in 1964, scoring two goals in a 6-3 win over Denver in the title game ... was a two-time recipient of U-M's Hal Downes Trophy (1965, 1966), awarded annually to the team's most valuable player ... was team captain in 1966 ... inducted into the Dekers Blue Line Club Hall of Fame ... led Michigan in points during 1964-65 (17 goals, 21 assists and 38 points) and 1965-66 (19 goals, 33 assists and 52 points) campaigns ... ranks among the top 25 scorers in University of Michigan history with 74-96--172 career totals ... ranks 24th on Michigan's career assists chart ... was whistled for only one penalty in his three-year collegiate career ... served as head coach of the Japanese Olympic team in 1980 ... returned to his alma mater in 1984 as head coach of the Japanese Olympic Team, dropping a 6-4 decision to Michigan ... also played baseball for the Wolverines, earning All-Big Ten honors in 1964 ... a native of Chatham, Ontario.
Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423
