Mike Polich

When people walk in to Mike Polich's real estate office in Minneapolis-St. Paul, probably not very many of them know he used to play in the NHL.

But the pint-sized (5'8" 170lbs - small by NHL standards, maybe not by realtor standards) center did and actually fared quite well for a stretch.

He starred at Hibbing High School before going on to the University of Minnesota, winning a national championship in 1974. Undrafted, the powerhouse Montreal Canadiens signed him as a free agent and he apprenticed in the minor leagues for three seasons, honing his defensive game.

Polich only got into one regular season game with the Habs, but did appear in 5 contests in the post-season of 1977, helping the Canadiens win the championship. As a result he got his name on the Stanley Cup after only 6 career games!

Polich returned home in the summer of 1978, signing as a free agent with the Minnesota North Stars. He would end up playing three seasons with the Stars, earning the nickname "The Shadow" for his defensive efforts. In 1978-79 he even finished 5th in balloting for the Selke Trophy, behind Bob Gainey, Don Marcotte, Craig Ramsay and Don Luce.

Polich's NHL career was over by the summer of 1981. In 226 career games he scored 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points.

Mike Polich also played for Team USA at the 1975 World Championships and 1976 Canada Cup.