Photo credit: Markerzone
Member of the USA Miracle on Ice team tragically passes away
It was with a heavy heart today that the 1980 USA Miracle on Ice team announced the passing of Mark Wells.
The former Montreal Canadiens draft pick never played in the NHL, but was a key member of one of the most memorable hockey teams of all time. It is with profound sadness that the @1980miraclehockeyteam announces the passing of our teammate and brother, Mark Wells.
While there aren't many details at this time, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.
RIP #15
🙏🏒🏅🇺🇸
While there aren't many details at this time, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.
RIP #15
🙏🏒🏅🇺🇸
Proclaimed an American hero, Wells will carry a legacy that will never die.
We are heartbroken to hear the news today of Mark Wells passing. Not just a BG hero, but an American hero, thoughts are with his family and his falcon family today.
His Alma mater, Bowling Green, where he played from 1975-1979 released this statement:
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Athletics Hall of Famer (1992) Mark Wells has passed away.
Wells, a native of St. Clair Shores, Mich., attended Bowling Green State University from 1975-79, where he was a star forward on the ice hockey team. He officially received a scholarship after his freshman season. He joined the 1980 Olympic team after the 1979 college season ended and, along with BGSU teammate Ken Morrow, won gold medals with the "Miracle on Ice" USA team at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.
Wells was selected 176th overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He joined Montreal's top farm team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, after the Olympics. He was released by Montreal after the 1980 season and then signed a free agent contract with the New York Rangers. Wells spent the following two seasons in the minor leagues with the New Haven Nighthawks, Flint Generals, Fort Wayne Komets, and Oklahoma City Stars, retiring in 1982 without playing a single game in the NHL.
Following his retirement from hockey, Wells worked as a restaurant manager in Rochester Hills, Mich. The city officials in his hometown of St. Clair Shores, Mich., renamed the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena's Olympia Room the Mark Wells Ice Rink in 2014.
Wells, a native of St. Clair Shores, Mich., attended Bowling Green State University from 1975-79, where he was a star forward on the ice hockey team. He officially received a scholarship after his freshman season. He joined the 1980 Olympic team after the 1979 college season ended and, along with BGSU teammate Ken Morrow, won gold medals with the "Miracle on Ice" USA team at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.
Wells was selected 176th overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He joined Montreal's top farm team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, after the Olympics. He was released by Montreal after the 1980 season and then signed a free agent contract with the New York Rangers. Wells spent the following two seasons in the minor leagues with the New Haven Nighthawks, Flint Generals, Fort Wayne Komets, and Oklahoma City Stars, retiring in 1982 without playing a single game in the NHL.
Following his retirement from hockey, Wells worked as a restaurant manager in Rochester Hills, Mich. The city officials in his hometown of St. Clair Shores, Mich., renamed the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena's Olympia Room the Mark Wells Ice Rink in 2014.
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