Minnesota Hockey Hub’s countdown of who it ranks as the state’s 100 greatest players in high school hockey history has already included four former players from International Falls.
With the website’s list up to 62 as of Thursday, the four players from the Falls include Dick Dougherty (73), Jim Amidon (75), Oscar Mahle (79) and Gary Wood (85).
Dougherty, a forward who graduated from Falls High School in 1950, a year Falls played in the state tournament, later attended the University of Minnesota and had also been on the U.S. Olympic Team that won a silver medal in 1956. He was inducted in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
Amidon, a forward who graduated from FHS in 1963, was part of two state tournament teams, winning the state championship in 1962 and placing runner-up in 1963. He later attended Colorado College.
Mahle, a forward and 1957 FHS graduate, was also part of two state tournament teams, including the 1957 state champion. He later attended the University of Minnesota and also played on the U.S. National Team.
Wood, a defenseman and 1965 FHS graduate, played on three state tournament teams, including two state champions in 1964 and 1965.
The Minnesota Hockey Hub’s countdown began at 100 with someone famous for coaching, Herb Brooks, who played high school hockey at St. Paul Johnson in the mid 1950s and is best known for coaching the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team.
