University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Jim Rosvold/University of Minnesota
Blais, Holmgren Set for U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction
12/9/2021 12:28:00 PM | Men's Hockey
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is set for Thursday night in Denver.
MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher men's hockey alums Dean Blais and Paul Holmgren are set to be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame tonight in Denver as part of the 2021 Induction Celebration.Â
Blais (Class of 2020) and Holmgren (Class of 2021) are the 17th and 18th U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame honorees with ties to Gopher men's hockey, joining Dr. V. George Nagobads (2010), Aaron Broten (2007), Gary Gambucci (2006), Murray Williamson (2005), Dick Dougherty (2003), Doug Woog (2002), Mike Ramsey (2001), Neal Broten (2000), Lou Nanne (1998), Reed Larson (1996), Bob Johnson (1991), Herb Brooks (1990), Larry Ross (1988), Ken Yackel Sr. (1986), Jack McCartan (1983) and John Mayasich (1976).
Additionally, Lynn Olson will be presented with the 2020 Lester Patrick Award for her outstanding contributions to hockey. Among them, Olson was a member of the University of Minnesota Women's Task Force and Coach Selection Committee that helped establish women's hockey as a varsity sport.Â
A native of International Falls, Minn., Blais was a four-year letter winner for the Maroon & Gold from 1970-1973 – recording 139 points (56 goals, 83 assists) in 124 career games. The forward led the Gophers in scoring as a sophomore and never finished lower than second on the team in points. As a freshman, Blais helped Minnesota claim the WCHA regular-season title before his sophomore campaign saw the Maroon & Gold capture the WCHA playoff title and advance to the NCAA title game in 1971. After three seasons playing professionally, Blais returned to the 'U' and began his coaching career as an assistant under Herb Brooks during the 1976-77 campaign.
Blais went on to earn 407 career NCAA coaching wins while winning a total of four national championships (two as an assistant coach, two as a head coach). Twice in his career, he was recognized with the Spencer Penrose Award as the top men's coach in NCAA Division I hockey along with being a four-time WCHA Coach of the Year Selection.Â
In addition to his success at the college level, Blais's coaching achievements stretched from high school to junior hockey and through college hockey onto the professional level. He led Roseau High School to a MSHSL state title in 1990 and later coached the Fargo Force to a USHL Clark Cup in 2009 while earning USHL Coach of the Year honors. Blais also served on the coaching staff for the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2004-07.Â
Additionally, he served as the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team in 1994 and 2010 – guiding USA Hockey to a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship – and served as an assistant coach for the team in 1988 and 1989. He also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team in 1992 and the U.S. Men's National Team in 2000.Â
USA Hockey previously honored Blais in 2018 with its Distinguished Achievement Award, presented annually to a U.S. citizen who has made hockey his or her profession and has made outstanding contributions on or off the ice to the sport in the United States.
A native of St. Paul, Minn., Holmgren played for the 'U' during the 1974-75 campaign and helped the Maroon & Gold sweep the Western Conference Hockey Association season, winning both regular-season and playoff titles. The Gophers earned their second of three-straight NCAA Frozen Four berths that season and eventually fell in the national championship game. A forward, he tallied 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 37 games.
Holmgren went on to play 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Minnesota North Stars before serving as an assistant coach, head coach, assistant general manager, general manager and president of the Flyers. The forward played in 527 regular-season NHL games and recorded 323 points (144 goals, 179 assists). Holmgren helped his teams to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his nine full seasons in the league and contributed 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 82 playoff appearances. He also competed for the U.S. at the 1974 IIHF World Junior Championship and was invited to play on Team USA for the 1981 Canada Cup but could not due to injury.
Holmgren received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2014 after being recognized for his outstanding contributions to hockey.Â
Holmgren served on the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group from 2009-14 and was the assistant general manager of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. In addition, he served as the general manager of the 2006 U.S. Men's National Team and was an assistant coach for Team USA at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. In addition to his NHL tenure with the Flyers organization, Holmgren also spent four seasons with the Hartford Whalers as head coach and/or general manager.
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Blais (Class of 2020) and Holmgren (Class of 2021) are the 17th and 18th U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame honorees with ties to Gopher men's hockey, joining Dr. V. George Nagobads (2010), Aaron Broten (2007), Gary Gambucci (2006), Murray Williamson (2005), Dick Dougherty (2003), Doug Woog (2002), Mike Ramsey (2001), Neal Broten (2000), Lou Nanne (1998), Reed Larson (1996), Bob Johnson (1991), Herb Brooks (1990), Larry Ross (1988), Ken Yackel Sr. (1986), Jack McCartan (1983) and John Mayasich (1976).
Additionally, Lynn Olson will be presented with the 2020 Lester Patrick Award for her outstanding contributions to hockey. Among them, Olson was a member of the University of Minnesota Women's Task Force and Coach Selection Committee that helped establish women's hockey as a varsity sport.Â
A native of International Falls, Minn., Blais was a four-year letter winner for the Maroon & Gold from 1970-1973 – recording 139 points (56 goals, 83 assists) in 124 career games. The forward led the Gophers in scoring as a sophomore and never finished lower than second on the team in points. As a freshman, Blais helped Minnesota claim the WCHA regular-season title before his sophomore campaign saw the Maroon & Gold capture the WCHA playoff title and advance to the NCAA title game in 1971. After three seasons playing professionally, Blais returned to the 'U' and began his coaching career as an assistant under Herb Brooks during the 1976-77 campaign.
Blais went on to earn 407 career NCAA coaching wins while winning a total of four national championships (two as an assistant coach, two as a head coach). Twice in his career, he was recognized with the Spencer Penrose Award as the top men's coach in NCAA Division I hockey along with being a four-time WCHA Coach of the Year Selection.Â
In addition to his success at the college level, Blais's coaching achievements stretched from high school to junior hockey and through college hockey onto the professional level. He led Roseau High School to a MSHSL state title in 1990 and later coached the Fargo Force to a USHL Clark Cup in 2009 while earning USHL Coach of the Year honors. Blais also served on the coaching staff for the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2004-07.Â
Additionally, he served as the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team in 1994 and 2010 – guiding USA Hockey to a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship – and served as an assistant coach for the team in 1988 and 1989. He also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team in 1992 and the U.S. Men's National Team in 2000.Â
USA Hockey previously honored Blais in 2018 with its Distinguished Achievement Award, presented annually to a U.S. citizen who has made hockey his or her profession and has made outstanding contributions on or off the ice to the sport in the United States.
A native of St. Paul, Minn., Holmgren played for the 'U' during the 1974-75 campaign and helped the Maroon & Gold sweep the Western Conference Hockey Association season, winning both regular-season and playoff titles. The Gophers earned their second of three-straight NCAA Frozen Four berths that season and eventually fell in the national championship game. A forward, he tallied 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 37 games.
Holmgren went on to play 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Minnesota North Stars before serving as an assistant coach, head coach, assistant general manager, general manager and president of the Flyers. The forward played in 527 regular-season NHL games and recorded 323 points (144 goals, 179 assists). Holmgren helped his teams to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his nine full seasons in the league and contributed 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 82 playoff appearances. He also competed for the U.S. at the 1974 IIHF World Junior Championship and was invited to play on Team USA for the 1981 Canada Cup but could not due to injury.
Holmgren received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2014 after being recognized for his outstanding contributions to hockey.Â
Holmgren served on the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group from 2009-14 and was the assistant general manager of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. In addition, he served as the general manager of the 2006 U.S. Men's National Team and was an assistant coach for Team USA at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. In addition to his NHL tenure with the Flyers organization, Holmgren also spent four seasons with the Hartford Whalers as head coach and/or general manager.
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