BIRTHPLACE: Minneapolis, Minn.

BORN: December 3, 1960

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: University of Minnesota, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings

Mike Ramsey grew up playing hockey on Minneapolis' many suburban lakes and ponds. After starring at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, he went on to star as a member of the University of Minnesota's 1979 NCAA Championship team and from there went on to be come the youngest player, at just 18, on the fabled 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team. For his efforts he was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy as a member of the gold medal winning team.

Ramsey went on to play in the National Hockey League for 18 seasons, 14 with the Buffalo Sabres, while the next four years were split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. Ramsey was the Sabres first choice, 11th overall, in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Ramsey participated in four NHL All-Star games in 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986. He went to the 1995 Stanley Cup finals with Detroit and made a brief two-game comeback during the 1996-97 season before retiring. He holds the Sabres record for most regular season games played by a defenseman with 911. In 1,070 games as a defenseman, Ramsey totaled 79 goals, 266 assists, 345 points and 1,012 penalty minutes. In addition to his Olympic experience, Ramsey represented the United States at the World Championships in 1982. He also played for the American squad at the Canada Cup in 1984 and 1987.

Ramsey returned to the Sabres in 1997 as an assistant coach where he remained until he was named assistant coach of the Minnesota Wild in their inaugural season on July 24, 2000. He helped the Minnesota Wild earn their ranking among the NHL's best in goals against and set an expansion team record in short-handed goals and points in the 2000-01 season. In 2002-03, Ramsey's Wild made it all the way to the NHL's final four, before losing to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Ramsey was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame on February 15, 2001.