Mike Crowley

Sent: 11/18/11
Received: 11/23/11
Time: 5 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, 1997-98 Pacific, 1997-98 Upper Deck MVP
Item Received: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, 1997-98 Pacific, 1997-98 Upper Deck MVP.  All signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
It's been a long time since I added to my 1995-96 Gophers Hockey team set, but this is a big one.  Mike Crowley was, quite simply, one of the greatest college hockey players I have ever seen.  He was a good defenseman, but a ridiculously talented skater and puckhandler for a blueliner.  He led the WCHA in scoring, was an All-American and a Hobey Baker finalist.  Most telling, all offensively-skilled Gopher defensemen to this day are still compared to Mike Crowley.  His game surprisingly did not translate to NHL success and he retired after parts of three seasons with the Ducks (and a training camp with the Wild).  He's still one of my all-time favorite players.  This is a rad return!