2015 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class: Mike York
9/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State will induct six new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 17. In the second of a six-part series this week on msuspartans.com, online columnist Steve Grinczel profiles former hockey All-American Mike York.
Mike York, who starred as a Michigan State hockey player from 1995-99 and was a veteran of 10 NHL seasons, truly thought he was too young to even be considered for the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
"When I thought about it for a little bit I thought someone might have been pranking me," York said. "That's how crazy it was."
Consequently, his advice to the student-athletes currently competing in 25 varsity Spartan sports makes a lot of sense.
"I think for the young athletes, just enjoy your time here," York said. "Both in the classroom and out of the classroom, it goes by so fast. It was kind of the best four years of my life. I wish I could go back, so just enjoy it."
Make no mistake, York, one of only 14 players in program history to score more than 200 career points, made the most of his time in Munn Arena.
He was named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie team after passing out 27 assists as a freshman in '95-96. His first of four straight seasons as MSU's top assist man, York also was named the Spartans' Outstanding Rookie.
York had his coming-out party the following season when registered a team-high 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) to earn All-CCHA honorable mention honors.
Michigan State's success rose with York's accomplishments during his junior season. While he was recording a career-best 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists), the Spartans were winning CCHA regular season and tournament championships. He was named first-team All-America, second-team All-CCHA, selected as the CCHA Tournament MVP, and was as a finalist in the Hobey Baker Award balloting.
York's upward surge continued through his senior season in '98-99 when he led the Spartans to a second consecutive CCHA regular season title and the NCAA Frozen Four. With 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists), York was named CCHA Player of the Year, CCHA Best Defensive Forward, first-team All-America, team MVP and once again, a Hobey Baker finalist.
And yet, it's not the awards or statistics that stand out for the Waterford native.
"I think it's the teammates that I played with," York said. "It was a great group of guys. We had a lot of success. We were able to win a couple of championships and made it to the Frozen Four my senior year so that was a lot of fun."
After completing his MSU career, York has enjoyed a well-traveled professional career. He played for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets, compiling 322 points in the NHL. He has played for the Iserlohn Roosters in Germany since 2011.
For York, the Spartans remain near and dear to his heart, and he has fond memories of watching the team play in the Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena in his youth.
"Being from Michigan, I was able to go the GLI as a kid and watch those games," York said. "Then, being able to play in them, too, was special. And always, the games against Michigan out at the Joe were always a lot of fun.
"I met my wife at MSU, I had great teammates, made great friendships and had a lot of fun. It's a great community with great people and great fans. I fell in love with the place as soon as I walked on campus."
The eighth hockey player or coach to be inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, being a part of Spartan hockey tradition is something York will always carry with him.
"It means a lot," he said. "Most of my friends are Spartan guys. We're a tight group. We still keep in touch through email and stuff and I think it's something special. You don't see that at a lot of schools like you do here. They have the Pro Camp for the guys that come back and there's a golf outing every year, so it's definitely something special to be a part of."
York is heartened by the upgrades that have been made to Munn Arena and the work coach Tom Anastos has been doing to restore the program.
"It's really neat," he said. "It's pretty cool to walk through the building and see all the new stuff they've been putting in. It's going to help in the long term as far as recruiting new players and getting the program back on top."
Maybe one of them will be in his skates 17 years or so down the road – "shocked" at the idea of being inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
"A lot of great players have obviously come through the program and I'm extremely honored," York said. "I've never been one to get really excited over individual honors, but this is different. I'm flattered."