Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

Given for "long term outstanding contributions to the sport of hockey in Minnesota," this award is given in memory of Cliff Thompson.  As the coach in Eveleth, Thompson was the only man ever to coach teams to four consecutive state championships (1948-51) and the list of his former players reads like a "who's who" in Minnesota hockey. Winners of this award are listed in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.  (1991 was the first year of the MHCA Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. The first inductions into the Hall of Fame were the Cliff Thompson Award winners from 1977 until 1991)