Murray Massier

Last updated
Murray Massier
Born February 1937
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 154 lb (70 kg; 11 st 0 lb)
Position Forward
Played for Denver
Denver Mavericks/Minneapolis Millers
Playing career 1957–1963

J. Murray Massier (born February 1937) is a Canadian retired ice hockey forward who was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1958 NCAA Tournament. [1]

Contents

Career

After winning consecutive Abbott Cups with the Regina Pats, Massier began attending Denver University in the fall of 1956. With NCAA rules limiting players to just three years of varsity play, Massier played with the school's freshman team before joined the varsity squad the following season. In 1957, Massier was one of several sophomores, all part of Murray Armstrong's tremendous first recruiting class, who helped the program go from 5th in the WIHL to 1st (tied). The first conference title for the team earned them their first NCAA tournament bid as well with Massier being a huge reason why.

In the tournament Denver swept aside Clarkson in the semifinal and advanced to face North Dakota for the championship. Just before the mid-way point of the game the Fighting Sioux held a 1–0 lead but Denver scored three times in quick succession, including two primary assists from Massier, to take the lead. After UND closed the gap in the third period Massier led another three-goal charge, contributing a goal and an assist, to put the game away. Massier's 4-point night earned him a spot on the All-Tournament First Team [2] and was named the Most Outstanding Player. [3]

That summer the WIHL was dissolved due to an ongoing argument between Denver and Minnesota over recruiting practices. As a result, the Pioneers had no limitations on their schedule and played as many home games as possible. This led to the team finishing with the best record among western schools, 22–5–1, but the NCAA selection committee was not impressed by Denver's ploy. North Dakota was chosen over Denver and when the Fighting Sioux won the championship that season there were many in Denver crying 'foul'. Despite still having a year of eligibility remaining, Massier left school after 1959 to pursue a professional career, becoming one of the earliest known cases of that circumstance. He joined the Denver Mavericks, an expansion team in the IHL, and despite finishing 3rd in team scoring he was gone after the inaugural season.

Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1954–55 Regina Pats WCJHL——————————
1955–56 Regina Pats WCJHL——————————
1957–58 Denver WIHL —213051——————
1958–59 Denver NCAA ——————————
1959–60 Denver Mavericks/Minneapolis Millers IHL 66235174651230
1962–63Olds Elks CAHL ——————————

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WIHL Second Team 1957–58 [4]
NCAA All-Tournament First Team 1958 [2]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955–56 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season</span> Sports season

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1958–59 NCAA men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1958–59 NCAA men's ice hockey season began in November 1958 and concluded with the 1959 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on March 14, 1959 at the RPI Field House in Troy, New York. This was the 12th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 65th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956–57 Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey season</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1957–58 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1958–59 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959–60 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

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The 1960–61 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 5th year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 30–1–1 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the third time in four years. The Pioneers defeated St. Lawrence 12–2 in the championship game at the DU Arena in Denver, Colorado. Denver set a record for the most wins by a team in one season, breaking the previous high of 27 they had earned the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962–63 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1962–63 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its 3rd year under head coach Barry Thorndycraft the team compiled a 22–7–3 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the third time. The Fighting Sioux defeated Denver 6–5 to win the championship game at the McHugh Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979–80 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1979–80 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its 2nd year under head coach John Gasparini the team compiled a 31–8–1 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eighth time. The Fighting Sioux defeated Northern Michigan 5–2 to win the championship game at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981–82 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1981–82 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its fourth year under head coach John Gasparini, the team compiled a 35–12–0 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the ninth time. The Fighting Sioux defeated Wisconsin 5–2 to win the championship game at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

William R. Steenson was a Canadian ice hockey defenseman who captained North Dakota to the program's first National Championship in 1959.

Edwin "Ed" Zemrau was a Canadian ice hockey defenseman and executive who captained Denver to its first National Championship in 1958.

Joe Selinger is a Canadian retired ice hockey goaltender who was an All-American for Michigan State and led the team it its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1959.

Reginald P. Morelli was a Canadian ice hockey center who was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1959 NCAA Tournament.

Marty Howe was a Canadian-born, American ice hockey defenseman who was a two-time All-American for Denver and helped the team win consecutive national championships in the early 1960s.

Alan McLean is a Canadian retired ice hockey Center who was an All-American for North Dakota and was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1963 NCAA Tournament.

Robert Munro is a Canadian retired ice hockey centre and coach who was a two-time All-American for North Dakota.

References

  1. ↑ "2019-20 Denver Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  3. ↑ "Awards - NCAA (Championship) Tournament MVP". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  4. ↑ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
1958 		Succeeded by
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