AMERKS MOURN THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL AMERK MIKE NYKOLUK
Jan 31, 2022The Rochester Americans organization joins the American Hockey League in mourning the passing of Hall of Famer Mike Nykoluk, considered one of the league’s greatest players. He was 87.
A talented playmaker, Nykoluk was one of the most productive point-getters in the history of the AHL. Fifty years after his retirement, Nykoluk still ranks third on the league’s all-time list with 686 assists, sixth with 881 points and fifth with 1,069 games played. He was a member of the second class of inductees into the AHL Hall of Fame, in 2007.
WATCH: NYKOLUK'S AHL HALL OF FAME TRIBUTE
A native of Toronto, Nykoluk was a member of the inaugural Rochester Americans in 1956-57 and suited up in 32 National Hockey League games for the Toronto Maple Leafs that same season. He would remain with the Amerks for one more year the following season, ending his tenure in Rochester with 73 points (23+50) in 97 career games, before spending the next 14 with the Hershey Bears.
A two-time Calder Cup champion, Nykoluk won the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s most valuable player in 1966-67. He was also a two-time AHL All-Star selection and at one point in his career posted seven straight seasons (1963-70) of 50 or more assists, twice leading the league.
Nykoluk went on to become an assistant coach in the National Hockey League, helping the Philadelphia Flyers to Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. He later returned to Toronto and spent three seasons as the head coach of his hometown Maple Leafs.