Rpi Hockey National Championship 1985 Roster
The 1985 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) hockey team will forever be remembered by its fans because of its incredible victory. This team, full of talented players, claimed the NCAA National Championship title. These young men battled hard against other elite teams and emerged as champions, leaving a lasting legacy for the RPI hockey program. In this article, we will take a closer look at the RPI Hockey National Championship 1985 Roster and the impact it had.
The Team
The 1985 RPI hockey team was led by head coach Mike Addesa, who was in his fourth year with the team. Addesa had a wealth of coaching experience before joining RPI and was able to bring his knowledge to the team. The roster was filled with talented players, including four future NHL players - Joe Juneau, Adam Oates, Daren Puppa, and Jim Sandlak. The team had a dominant offense and defense that made it difficult for any team to score. They had a record of 30-9-0 and were ranked second in the nation when they won the national championship.
The Players
The 1985 RPI hockey team had a number of players who made a big impact on the ice. Joe Juneau, who played center, was a key player in the team's victory. He had an incredible season, finishing with 46 goals and 60 assists. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and later went on to have a successful NHL career. Adam Oates, who played left wing, was also a great player on the team. He finished the season with 24 goals and 63 assists. He was known for his vision and ability to set up his teammates for scoring chances. Daren Puppa was the team's starting goaltender and played an important role in their success. He finished the season with a 2.86 goals-against average and was named to the All-Tournament team.
The Championship Game
The championship game was played on April 6, 1985, against the Providence Friars. The game was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The RPI team started off strong, with Joe Juneau scoring the first goal of the game just 33 seconds into the first period. Adam Oates added a goal in the second period, and RPI went on to win the game 2-1. Daren Puppa made 32 saves in the game and was named the tournament's top goaltender. The victory marked the first and only time that RPI won the national championship in hockey.
The Legacy
The legacy of the RPI Hockey National Championship 1985 Roster lives on today. The team's victory inspired future generations of RPI hockey players to strive for greatness. For RPI fans, the memory of this incredible team is still fresh, and their victory is celebrated every year. The team's accomplishment was not only an important moment for RPI but also for college hockey. It proved that smaller schools could compete with the big boys and come out on top.
Conclusion
The RPI Hockey National Championship 1985 Roster will forever be remembered as one of the best college hockey teams of all time. The team's impressive record, talented players, and incredible victory left a lasting legacy for the RPI hockey program. The team's victory was an inspiration to future generations of RPI hockey players and proved that anything is possible with hard work and determination. The team's accomplishment will continue to be celebrated for many years to come.