Spartan Olympians: Mike York
MIKE YORK, Member, U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team, Silver Medal, Winter Games in Salt Lake City, 2002
As a youngster growing up in Waterford, Mike York used to enjoy watching the top American hockey players on television.
In 2002, as the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team in Salt Lake City, York was able to play alongside many of his youthful heroes. “It was an absolutely great experience,” he recalls.
The U.S. team won a silver medal, losing to Canada, which ironically featured Theoren Fleury and Eric Lindros, York’s former “FLY Line” mates with the Edmonton Oilers.
In 2002 York was in the midst of four straight 50-point seasons and named a National Hockey League All-Star. Drafted by the New York Rangers, York has played for the Oilers, the New York Islanders, and the Philadephia Flyers.
Currently a left wing with the Phoenix Coyotes, York continues to make East Lansing his summer home—along with many other former MSU icers who also played for the legendary Ron Mason.
“I loved MSU,” he explains. “I love the hockey, the school and the community. That’s why I make it my summer home.”
York says he really enjoyed watching Rick Comley lead last year’s icers to the NCAA championship. “It was unexpected, but it goes to show that if you work hard anything can happen,” he notes. “I watched the semifinal and the final games. It was awesome. I was jumping up and down on my couch.”