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Out of curiosity, with all of the great HS players to come out of Grand Rapids in its rich history, who is the best ever in your opinion? Would love to hear some input on this from some of the Rapids faithful who have been watching since the 70s-80s....Is it Grant Bischoff? Goligoski? Miskovich? Marinucci?Fairchild? Patrick White? Avery? Brill? Kellin? Rothstein?

Would love to hear a good debate!

Hands down Andrew Downing was the best when he left G.R. You must be a Gopher fan.

hadenuf wrote:Hands down Andrew Downing was the best when he left G.R. You must be a Gopher fan.

What ever happened to him? I remember him...think he was supposed to graduate in 2000? 2001? Think he left after soph year?

Best player to come out of Rapids - Jon Casey, though Greenway fans may (justifiably?) scream that he was a Raiders product.
Best player to lead his team at the State tourney - John DeCenzo

The Hockey DJ

mnmouth wrote:Best player to come out of Rapids - Jon Casey, though Greenway fans may (justifiably?) scream that he was a Raiders product.
Best player to lead his team at the State tourney - John DeCenzo

Got to agree, best player was Jon Casey. A close second is Alex Goligowski. I give a third place vote to Bill Baker.

Wasn't Casey a move in from Greenway?

Bill Baker or Kurt Klinendorst have to be in the conversation.

There have been so many great HS players its very hard to give them all credit here...Lempe, Malwitz, DeGrio (possibly the fastest HS player I ever saw), Madsen and so many more. Its a great program with a rich tradition. The Orange machine of the seventies was fun to watch.

grandindian wrote:

mnmouth wrote:Best player to come out of Rapids - Jon Casey, though Greenway fans may (justifiably?) scream that he was a Raiders product.
Best player to lead his team at the State tourney - John DeCenzo

Got to agree, best player was Jon Casey. A close second is Alex Goligowski. I give a third place vote to Bill Baker.

Are we talking who had the best career? If so, Casey, Goligoski, Dan Lempe and Scot Kleinendorst are the nominees.

Best College Player: Dan Lempe in a landslide.

mnmouth wrote:Best player to come out of Rapids - Jon Casey, though Greenway fans may (justifiably?) scream that he was a Raiders product.
Best player to lead his team at the State tourney - John DeCenzo

I remember him scoring a goal from his knees in the '80 tournament. I think it was shorthanded also.

I can't remember if it was in semi final against Jefferson or final against Hill.

Casey was unreal.

Good stuff so far, I know there are more indian/thunderhawk faithful who have more input though!

grindiangrad-80 wrote:

mnmouth wrote:Best player to come out of Rapids - Jon Casey, though Greenway fans may (justifiably?) scream that he was a Raiders product.
Best player to lead his team at the State tourney - John DeCenzo

I remember him scoring a goal from his knees in the '80 tournament. I think it was shorthanded also.

I can't remember if it was in semi final against Jefferson or final against Hill.

Casey was unreal.

DeCenzo is likely not the best player to come out of Rapids, but he was in complete control while on the ice during the '80 tourney. It was almost like he had a bubble around him when he had the puck. Nobody took it away from him, and his creativity and decision-making sparked a title run when everyone assumed Jefferson and Hill-Murray would be playing for the championship. Rapids beat them both, largely due to he and Casey, though it was a well-balanced club. Definitely on par - for a 3 day run - with some of the best who played at State.

keepyourheadup wrote:There have been so many great HS players its very hard to give them all credit here...Lempe, Malwitz, DeGrio (possibly the fastest HS player I ever saw), Madsen and so many more. Its a great program with a rich tradition. The Orange machine of the seventies was fun to watch.

Have to agree with everything you said here.

Names like Lempe, Madsen, Decenzo, Rothstein included 3 and 4 players per family in that 10-12 year span.

Degrio was the fastest skater I saw as well. Those teams were full of great skating forwards and defensemen.

The games at state against the Edina teams were epic.

grindiangrad-80 wrote:Names like Lempe, Madsen, Decenzo, Rothstein included 3 and 4 players per family in that 10-12 year span.

Degrio was the fastest skater I saw as well. Those teams were full of great skating forwards and defensemen.

All great players, but how many of those guys were "great enough" to play a major role for the U.S. Olympic team, like Bill Baker did in 1980?

MNHockeyFan wrote:

grindiangrad-80 wrote:Names like Lempe, Madsen, Decenzo, Rothstein included 3 and 4 players per family in that 10-12 year span.

Degrio was the fastest skater I saw as well. Those teams were full of great skating forwards and defensemen.

All great players, but how many of those guys were "great enough" to play a major role for the U.S. Olympic team, like Bill Baker did in 1980?

I would probably put Baker at the top of the list. Don Lucia, Scott Kleinendorst, Tony Kellin and several more blueliners along with netminders Clafton and Jetland were good at keeping the puck out of the net also.

Another vote for Bill Baker from my perspective, a complete hockey player, leader and great guy, he had one of the heaviest shots I ever faced in goal.

As far as high school play,it would probably be Pat White. 2 sate tournaments and a 1st round draft pick the summer after he graduated.

mulefarm wrote:As far as high school play,it would probably be Pat White. 2 sate tournaments and a 1st round draft pick the summer after he graduated.

Many possible mentions from the seventies played in 3 state tourneys, although most also had more D1 talent on the ice with them than White. Then again, I think it's always tough to compare players from different era's in any sport.

So, I'll just go with either Sam Sparen or Rendle.

Roger Mischke

Or

Alex Goloigoski

Since he hasn't been mentioned yet I will throw out Avery Peterson. I have a little trouble throwing him in with the "GR greatest of all time" list since he just graduated and it seems like such an accolade is meant for someone more removed from the game.

BUT, one would be a fool not to include him. He is the all time point leader at Rapids and left with the Mr Hockey crown. He was dazzling on the ice with a wicked shot and amazing vision. He was the most entertaining player I've watched and always had me on the edge of my seat when he touched the puck.

HS player - John Rothstein, College player - Lempe, NHL player - Goli

bump this..cmon Rapids faithful, want to hear more input....