This Fort Frances hockey product made his way up through the minor system covering defensive duties for a number of teams and helped the Muskies high school team advance to the Ontario finals. Joining the Kenora Thistles junior line-up at just 15, his talents saw him become the #1 OHL draft pick for Sudbury in 1978. Moving up to the forward line, he became the clubs centre-ice performer, top scorer and a fan favourite.

 

Selected 35th overall in the 1980 NHL Amateur Draft by the New York Rangers, Mike made the Blueshirts regular lineup for the 1980-81 season, although still a junior. In his first NHL appearance playing in Boston against the Bruins he scored his first NHL goal with his first shot on net, just 46 seconds into his first shift. His second NHL game was even more spectacular netting a hat-trick against Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens.

 

That first season with New York would prove to be Mike's best, breaking a Rangers' record for most points by a rookie with 26 goals and 38 assists in 75 games. A face-off specialist and defensive forward, his all-out style would prove effective, yet costly, suffering three serious knee injuries in as many years with the Rangers.

 

Traded to Toronto in 1986, Mike shone for the Leafs in playoff action that season. Traded to Los Angeles during the 1987-88 season, Mike enjoyed three seasons with the Kings, retiring with the club following the 1990 campaign, with a 10 season NHL record that included 102 goals and 166 assists in 499 regular season games. Mike remained involved with the Kings as a radio broadcaster as a co-director with their youth hockey camp.

 

Learning the ropes in coaching from Fort Frances native and Hall of Famer, Bob Peters, at Bemidji State College, Mike eventually teamed up with his brother Dave and returned to the OHL coaching a couple of seasons with the Kingston Frontenacs. Wanting to pass along his knowledge and passion for the game to the next generation of Fort Frances hockey players Mike co-founded A&A Hockey Camps in 1999.

 

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 27, 2003