BIRTHPLACE: Hancock, Mich.
BORN: November 2, 1938
TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: Michigan Tech University, U.S. Olympic & National Teams, International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, Green Bay Bobcats
Paul Coppo grew up in Michigan loving hockey. A prep star, Coppo went on to play collegiately at Michigan Technical University from 1956-60. There, Coppo would emerge as one of the top American-born centermen of his generation, leading his Huskies in scoring during his junior and senior seasons, and ending his illustrious career with a total of 134 points on 59 goals and 75 assists. As a senior, Coppo received First Team All-America recognition en route to leading his Huskies into the NCAA Finals, garnering all-tournament honors along the way. In addition, Coppo had only six penalties during his collegiate career, which spanned 85 games over four years. A 1985 inductee into Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame, Coppo still ranks as one of the top 20 all-time scorers in the program's rich history.
After college, Coppo went on to represent Team USA. The leading scorer on the 1962 U.S. National Team that won the bronze medal in Colorado Springs, Coppo went on to lead the team in scoring in the 1964 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria, as well. In addition, Coppo also represented the United States at the 1965, 1966 and 1969 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championships.
From there, Coppo went on to play for 15 years as a center/wing for the Green Bay Bobcats in the United States Hockey League. There, he recorded 559 points (231-328) over his professional career, ultimately retiring as the team’s all-time leading scorer. Known for his outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the ice, Coppo recorded only 164 penalty minutes in his career with the Cats as well. Furthermore, Coppo spent his last four seasons in Green Bay as the team’s player/coach.
Coppo would go on to serve as a youth hockey coach in DePere, Wis., for over a decade after that — always wanting to give back to the sport he loved. Coppo and his wife, Carol, reside in DePere and raised two children, Christine and John.