Feb 27--Mike Kaszycki

Mike Kaszycki

Selected by New York Islanders round 2 #32 overall 1976 NHL Amateur Draft
Selected by New England Whalers round 4 #38 overall 1976 WHA Amateur Draft.

He was a spectacular junior scoring star. After helping the Toronto Marlies win the Memorial Cup in 1975, Kaszycki joined the Soo Greyhounds and rewrote the OHA record book by scoring an amazing 170 points - 51 goals and 119 assists. Despite his scoring prowess, Kaszycki never really caught on with the Islanders, who were soon to begin their Stanley Cup dynasty with 4 consecutive championships. But he would be traded to Washington in December 1979.Kaszycki could never keep a roster spot in either Washington or Toronto soon after that. This despite lighting up the American Hockey League with seasons of 118 and 110 points. He won the league scoring title, MVP and sportsmanship trophies, as well as first all star team designation.
Despite his forgotten career, Kaszycki does go down in history for a unique incident. Back on June 1st, 1979 the NHL grandfathered in a clause that made helmets mandatory for all new players in the league. Established players, like Kaszycki, were told they would be allowed to continue to play without a helmet, so long as they signed a waiver. Kaszycki never did sign his, and it was brought to the referees attention in the middle of a game in 1981. Kaszycki was forced to leave the game as he was declared ineligible to play, and he was forced to play the rest of his career with a helmet. 

CAREER NHL STATISTICS Years Teams GP G A TP PIM 1977-1983 NYI, Washington, Toronto 226 42 80 122 108

CAREER NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS Years Teams GP G A TP PIM 1978-1980 N.Y. Islanders, Toronto 19 2 6 8 10

Received this blue ink signed card IP at the NHL SloPitch tourney.