BIRTHPLACE: Eveleth, Minn.

BORN: November 3, 1952

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: St. Louis Blues, Salt Lake City Golden Eagles, USA Hockey

Doug Palazzari was named executive director of USA Hockey in 1999, signaling yet another milestone in a lifelong hockey career that has spanned the spectrum from player to coach to administrator.

As executive director of USA Hockey, Palazzari directed the day-to-day operations of a National Governing Body that provides programs and services to more than 560,000 ice and in-line hockey player, coaches, officials and volunteers nationwide.

Prior to being named executive director of USA Hockey, Palazzari oversaw the organization's Youth and Education Programs for eight years, most recently as senior director.  His duties provided extensive involvement with the USA Hockey Youth Council, Girls/Women Section and High School Section, as well as supervising the Coaching and Officiating Programs.

As a youngster in Eveleth, Palazzari grew up in a hockey-loving family.  His father, Aldo, played for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.  He went on to star for the Eveleth Golden Bears High School team, and then went on to Colorado College, where he led CC in scoring in both 1972 and 1974, earning All-American and WCHA MVP honors during those same seasons.

Following his college career, Palazzari spent eight seasons (1974-1982) playing professionally in the St. Louis Blues' system.  He registered 38 points on 18 goals and 20 assists in 108 regular-season games in the NHL, but made his greatest impact while playing for the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles of the CHL - the Blues' top minor league affiliate at the time.  Palazzari was twice honored as the CHL's MVP (1978 and 1980) and was tabbed as the league's all-time Greatest Player by The Hockey News as well.

Palazzari's international playing experience includes being selected as a member of the 1973 and 1974 U.S. National Teams, and also representing the United States in the inaugural Canada Cup tournament in 1976.

In addition, he has served in a coaching capacity USA Hockey several times, most recently in 1991, as head coach for the U.S. Select-16 Team.  He was also an assistant for the U.S. at the Olympic Festival in 1991, the 1989 U.S. Select-17 Team and for the teams that represented the U.S. at the 1987 Pravda and 1986 Calgary Cups.  He also served as an assistant at CC from 1985-1991, as well.