University of Minnesota Athletics
Hobey Baker Award Winner - Neal Broten
NEAL BROTEN
Center
1981 Hobey Baker Award Winner
In 1978-79, a young rookie from Roseau, Minn., named Neal Broten set the University of Minnesota freshman scoring record with 50 assists in one season and scored the game-winning goal in the NCAA championship game against North Dakota. He then left the Gophers for one year, serving as a center and the fourth-leading scorer on the heralded 1980 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team. He returned to the Gophers for his sophomore season and earned All-America honors for his efforts, leading the Gophers to the NCAA Championship game for the second time in his collegiate career. That year, Broten was the first recipient of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, winning it in 1981.
The end of that 1980-81 season marked the end of Broten's collegiate career. But for Minnesota hockey fans it was only the beginning. For 11 seasons Broten entertained hockey aficionados of his home state as a member of the Minnesota North Stars. He was an instrumental part of the Stars' two Stanley Cup final appearances, and was the first American player to notch 100 points in an NHL season in 1985-86. He is one of the top scoring American players in the history of the NHL. When the North Stars moved to Dallas, Broten played a season and a half in Texas before being traded to the New Jersey Devils during the 1994-95 season. Broten was the final piece in the Devils' Stanley Cup puzzle. He ignited New Jersey's offense by scoring seven goals (four game-winners) and 12 assists in the playoffs, becoming the first U of M player to have his named inscribed on Lord Stanley's Cup.