BIRTHPLACE: Flint, Mich.

BORN: October 17, 1956

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: U.S. Olympic Team, New York Islanders

A magical three-month span in the spring of 1980 assured Ken Morrow of a place in hockey history. The giant, 6-4, 205 pound defenseman played an integral role on the fabled U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal at Lake Placid in February of 1980.

Morrow grew up playing hockey in Michigan, and went on to star in college at Bowling Green. There he was the first All-American ever chosen at the school, and was named as the CCHA player of the year in 1979. In addition to garnering CCHA first-team honors in 1976, '78 and '79, he also earned All-American honors in 1978 as well.

He also played on the U.S. National teams in 1978 and '79 before being selected to play for Herb Brooks in 1980.

From there Morrow made the leap to the big-time, signing on with the New York Islanders, where he continued to stand out on a team that won the Stanley Cup in May - beating the Minnesota North Stars four games to one. Morrow and the Islanders would go on to earn four consecutive Stanley Cups. Morrow played sturdy defense all along as well, as the team proved to be one of the NHL's best ever throughout the 1980s.

One of his personal highlights came in the 1984 playoffs, when he scored the overtime game-winner in the deciding contest against the Rangers. For his NHL career, the tough defenseman scored 17 goals and 88 assists for 105 points in 550 games played.

Morrow continued to give back to the game even after his retirement, and in 1996 was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for his efforts.