BIRTHPLACE: St. Paul, Minn.

BORN: April 22, 1944

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: United States National Team, Olympic Team, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Atlanta Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals

Robert Paradise began his interest in athletics, and hockey in particular, at the age of 10. He attended Cretin High School, where he starred in hockey, baseball and football, earning all-state honors in hockey and football. From there he moved on to St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn., where he became an all-conference performer in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for four consecutive years (first as a center and then as a defenseman).

It was at defense that the aggressive Paradise caught the eye of NHL scout and former Boston Bruins star, Fern Flaman. A well-rounded individual, Paradise even passed up an opportunity to sign a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox in 1965 to complete his education.

After graduation from St. Mary's in 1966, Paradise joined the 1968 United States Olympic Team and later the 1969 National Team before turning pro with the Montreal Canadiens organization.

After two years in the minors and a brief stint with the North Stars, he was drafted by the Atlanta Flames in 1972 and then went on to a six-plus years career with the Flames, Pittsburgh and Washington.

Paradise was a defensive-minded defenseman and at six-foot-one and 205 pounds, he was noted and respected for his physical style of play. He had to be tough. After all, he was the son-in-law of fellow Hall of Famer, Bob Dill, one of the toughest players ever to lace up the skates.