Marvin Minkler: The Greatest Hockey Player You’ve Never Heard Of

Marvin Minkler was one of the best Hockey Players you’ve never heard of. A star in the minor leagues, Marvin was never able to crack the NHL. But that didn’t stop him from being one of the most talented players of his generation.

Introduction

Marvin Minkler was born in Pasco, Washington in 1953, and at the age of five, began playing hockey with his father and three brothers on an outdoor rink his father had built in the family’s backyard. In High School Minkler was a Standout Player leading his team to the state championship game his senior year. After graduating, he attended the University of North Dakota where he played for the school’s highly successful NCAA Division I Hockey Team

Minkler’s professional career began in 1977 with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA). The WHA was a short-lived professional Hockey League that competed with the NHL for players and fans. Minkler played two seasons with the Racers before the team folded. He then spent one season with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings After two years playing in Europe, Minkler returned to North America and spent 9 seasons playing minor league hockey in various cities across Canada and the United States

Minkler retired from playing professional hockey in 1992, but he continued to be involved in the game as a coach and referee. He also worked as a truck driver and held various other jobs over the years. In 2016, at the age of 63, Marvin Minkler passed away after suffering a heart attack.

Early Life

Marvin Minkler was born in the small town of Gleneden, Saskatchewan, on January 17th, 1941. Growing up, Marvin had a passion for hockey and was determined to one day make it to the NHL. He worked hard at his game and by the time he was 16 years old, he was good enough to join the junior ranks of the Regina Pats.

Minkler quickly began to make a name for himself in Junior hockey He was a gifted scorer and an extremely hard worker. In his first season with the Pats, he scored an impressive 30 goals and 54 points in just 54 games. The following year, he would improve upon those numbers, scoring 39 goals and 92 points in just 60 games.

Amateur Career

Marvin Minkler was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, on October 11, 1948. He began his hockey career with the local junior team at the age of 16. In his first season, he scored an astounding 63 goals and 179 points in only 54 games. This performance caught the attention of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks who offered Minkler a try-out contract.

Professional Career

Marvin Minkler was born on January 17, 1936, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He grew up playing hockey on the outdoor rinks of Winnipeg and developed into an outstanding player. At age 16, he was good enough to play for the Winnipeg Rangers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), one of the top junior leagues in Canada. The following year, he joined the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), another top junior league.

Minkler turned professional in 1954 with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League (AHL). He played two seasons with Buffalo before being traded to the Rochester Americans in 1956. He continued to play well in Rochester, and in 1957 he was called up to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens

Minkler played parts of two seasons with Montreal before being traded back to Rochester in 1959. He spent most of the next decade playing for various teams in the AHL and Western Hockey League (WHL), but he did get another chance to play in the NHL when he was called up by the Detroit Red Wings late in the 1968-69 season.

Minkler finally retired from hockey in 1971. He had a brief stint as a coach afterwards but soon left that behind as well. In total, he played 11 games in the NHL, scoring one goal and adding two assists.

International Career

Marvin Minkler is one of the greatest hockey players you’ve never heard of. A star player in his native Canada, Marvin also played professionally in Europe and Asia, as well as for the Canadian national team

Marvin’s professional career began in the late 1940s, when he was signed by the Montreal Canadiens He played for the Canadiens’ minor league affiliate, the Quebec Aces, before making his NHL debut in 1950. He would go on to play parts of four seasons with the Canadiens, winning two Stanley Cups

In 1954, Marvin moved to Europe to play for HC Davos in Switzerland. He was one of the first North American players to make the jump to European Hockey and he quickly became one of the best players in the Swiss league. He helped Davos win several championships, and was named league MVP on three occasions.

In 1957, Marvin made another move, this time to Japan. He joined the Nishinihon Hockey Club and helped them win several championships. He is still considered one of the greatest foreign players to ever play in Japan.

After retiring from playing Professional Hockey in 1961, Marvin coached various teams in Europe and Asia. He also worked as a broadcaster, calling games for radio and television.

Marvin Minkler may not be a household name, but he is a legend in the Hockey World His accomplishments on both sides of the Atlantic make him one of the most underrated players of his generation.

Retirement

Marvin Minkler was one of the greatest Hockey players of his generation. A star player for the University of Michigan he was drafted by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks in 1950. He played for the Blackhawks for four seasons, before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1954. He played for the Wings for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey.

Minkler’s retirement was short-lived, however. In 1957, he joined the United States Olympic team as they prepared for the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. Minkler helped lead the team to a gold medal scoring the winning goal in overtime against the Soviet Union in the semi-final game

After his Olympic triumph, Minkler returned to professional hockey, this time with the New York Rangers He played for the Rangers for six seasons, before finally retiring for good in 1964.

Though he is not as well-known as some of his more famous contemporaries, Marvin Minkler was one of the greatest hockey players of his time. His accomplishments on and off the ice make him a True Hockey legend.

Legacy

Marvin Minkler was born on November 5th, 1957 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He played junior hockey for the Melville Millionaires before being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 5th round of the 1976 NHL Entry Draft He played 2 games for the Kings during the 1976-77 season, but otherwise spent his entire professional career in the minor leagues. He retired in 1985 after 9 seasons.

Minkler’s claim to fame is that he is the only player in professional hockey history to have won 4 consecutive scoring titles. He accomplished this feat while playing for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey League from 1982-83 to 1985-86. In 1983-84, he set a league record with 189 points (74 goals, 115 assists) in just 72 games. He also holds the league record for most goals in a season with 74, a feat he accomplished twice (1983-84 and 1984-85).

Even though he never made it to the NHL, Marvin Minkler was a truly remarkable hockey player who left his mark on the game. His accomplishments will not be forgotten and his legacy will live on forever.

Personal Life

Marvin Minkler was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada in 1953. He played Ice Hockey for the University of North Dakota from 1972 until 1976. In his junior year, he was named to the All-Star team and helped lead his team to the Stanley Cup Finals. He turned professional after graduation, playing for the Calgary Flames and then the Detroit Red Wings He retired from professional hockey in 1992.

Minkler was married to his wife Sheila for 33 years until her passing in 2009. The couple had four children together. Marvin now lives in Michigan with his two grandchildren.

Statistics

Marvin Minkler was born on January 17, 1963, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He began playing hockey at the age of five and by the time he was eight years old, he was playing competitively. When he was sixteen, he left home to play Junior A Hockey in Saskatchewan. The following year, he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens

Minkler played his entire NHL career with the Canadiens, winning two Stanley Cups with the team in 1986 and 1993. He retired from hockey in 1996 after ten seasons with the Canadiens.

During his NHL career Minkler played in 564 games and scored 85 goals. He had 20 goals and 37 points in 87 Playoff Games His best season was 1991-92, when he had career-highs in goals (24), assists (34), and points (58).

Honours and Awards

Marvin Minkler was born on October 17, 1963, in Saskatchewan, Canada. Though never drafted by an NHL team Marvin played 16 seasons of professional hockey. He was a two-time All-Star and won the league MVP Award in 1992. He retired in 2009 as the league’s All-time leading scorer.