Goaltender Mike Blake had a highly successful four year collegiate career in the NCAA playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In his senior year in 1980-81 he was chosen to the CCHA First Team All-Star squad after going 22-9-3 with two shutouts and a 3.57 GAA.
The NHL's Los Angeles Kings signed Blake as a free agent in January, 1982 and he played in two games for the Kings that year. Blake is in the record books for having given up Wayne Gretzky's record 92nd and final goal of the season that year. "Allowing that goal is my greatest claim to fame," Blake said laughingly. He played another nine games for L.A. the following year and 29 in 1983-84.
He tried to play through several injuries, but after his fifth knee operation realized it was time to retire in 1985.
