Ex-New England Whaler and Minnesota Fighting Saints Mike Antonovich is one of eight former University of Minnesota standouts will be inducted into
the school's "M" Club Hall of Fame on Thursday in the TCF Bank Stadium
DQ Club Room.
His Golden Gopher playing days cut short due to an injury, Antonovich made up for lost time with a lengthy and successful professional hockey career. Antonovich played at the University of Minnesota from 1969-72 and led the team in scoring as a freshman, but suffered a knee injury in a game against the U.S. Olympic team during the 1971-72 season. Antonovich left the Gophers following that season and embarked on a professional career that spanned 11 seasons and five different teams.
Antonovich totaled 45 goals and 40 assists for 85 points in 77 career games as a centerman for the Golden Gophers. He notched team highs in every category as a freshman with 23 goals, 20 assists, 43 points and 60 penalty minutes. Antonovich followed with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points as a sophomore and was off to a strong start during his junior season with eight goals and two assists before his injury in the ninth game and first home contest of the year.
A ninth round draft choice of the Minnesota North Stars in 1971, Antonovich left the Gophers and joined his former coach, Glen Sonmor, to play with the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association during the team's inaugural 1972-73 season. Antonovich was a regular in the Fighting Saints' lineup, appearing in a franchise-record 309 games over five seasons. After the Fighting Saints folded in 1975-76, he joined the North Stars and played in 12 games. Antonovich returned to the WHA the following year and played with the Edmonton Oilers and the New England Whalers. Antonovich appeared in the 1978 WHA All-Star game and eventually played in 75 more National Hockey League games from 1979-84, including 68 games in two seasons with the New Jersey Devils. He totaled 573 professional games, posting 192 goals and 203 assists for 395 career points.
Antonovich played internationally with the United States team in the World Championships in 1976, 1977 and 1982. He was an assistant coach in the International Hockey League with the Minnesota Moose in 1995-96 and the Phoenix Roadrunners in 1996-97 before moving into his current position as a scout with the St. Louis Blues.
A native of Calumet, Minn., Antonovich now resides in Coleraine, Minn. and serves as the city's mayor. He and his wife, Sandra, have four children, Stephanie, Jeffrey, Melissa and Michelle.
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