1963–64 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season

Sports season March 2026 August 2023 color:white; background:#00274C; a #FFCB05 2px white white Michigan Wolverines white 1963–64 Michigan Wolverines logo.svg Michigan Wolverines men Big Ten / 1st WCHA 1st 24–4–1 7–1–0 / 12–2–0 14–2–1 8–2–0 2–0–0 Al Renfrew Gordon Wilkie Michigan Coliseum National championBig Ten ChampionWCHA Champion NCAA Tournament champion 1962–63 1964–65 Michigan Wolverines #FFFFFF background:#eeeeee; The 1963–64 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team represented the University of Michigan in college ice hockey. In its seventh year under head coach Al Renfrew, the team compiled a 24–4–1 record (12–2 against Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) opponents) and outscored all opponents 217 to 80.Michigan Hockey Record Book University of Michigan 2 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/ihm-recordbook-pre-2012-13.pdf 2013-09-07 2013-05-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20130516090050/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/ihm-recordbook-pre-2012-13.pdf dead The Wolverines advanced to the 1964 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. They defeated the Providence Friars in the first round of the Frozen Four and then defeated the Denver Pioneers by a 6–3 score in the national championship game in Denver, Colorado. Goalie Bob Gray was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament. He had four shutouts and a .914 save percentage for the season. The team's leading scorer was junior forward Gary Butler with 38 goals, 30 assists, and 68 total points. Team captain Gordon Wilkie followed with 16 goals, 51 assists, and 67 total points. The team set a new program record with 24 wins, eclipsing the old record of 23 set in the 1949–50 season. Season Michigan was coming off a season in which the team finished last in the WCHA and failed to win a conference game in Big Ten play. The roster included only four seniors, Gary Butler, Ron Coristine, Bob Gray, and team captain Gordon Wilkie — while the sophomore class later proved to be one of the program's strongest. The Wolverines opened at home against Queen's, winning both games 9–5 and piling up 141 shots in the two contests.Football Fades out as Basketball, Hockey Come On Strong The Michigan Daily 1 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754332/647 December 3, 1963 February 20, 2019 After a weekend off the maize and Blue played host to Toronto and split the series. The second game provided Michigan with their first shutout since December 1960, coincidentally that was also against the Varsity Blues.Through the Years https://s3.amazonaws.com/mgoblue.com/documents/2016/9/20/ihm-throughtheyears.pdf Michigan Wolverines December 6, 2018 The team closed up shop during the winter break and returned to the ice a week before the spring semester began with a trip to Minnesota where they played a pair of series against the Golden Gophers and Minnesota–Duluth. After dominating the Bulldogs Michigan opened their conference schedule with a 5–1 win against Minnesota before their Big Ten rival repaid the favor with a 6–5 victory. The Wolverine's offense was firing on all cylinders at this time with the team averaging 7 goals per game. Gary Butler was leading in all three scoring categories (15 goals, 12 assists, 27 points) while the top line of Butler-Wilkie-Cole had combined to nearly equal all their opponent's goal totals (26 vs. 28).High Scoring Pucksters Take On Loyola The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/8 January 16, 1964 February 20, 2019 As the second semester began the team welcomed a new addition in Mel Wakabayashi. The Wolverines celebrated by thoroughly dominating visiting Loyola in two games, outscoring their opponents 26-3 in the series. Eleven different players scored goals against the Warriors but it was sophomore Wilf Martin who led the way with 5 goals and 4 assists over the weekend. With Michigan having built their record to 8–2 head coach Al Renfrew thought his team had a chance to be better than his third-place squad two years earlier but it still had work to do.Pucksters Go On Goal Rampage The Michigan Daily 10 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/38 January 21, 1964 February 20, 2019 The following weekend Michigan Tech arrived in town and though they were having a relatively poor season the Huskies had typically given Michigan a good showing. In the first game the Wolverines were the better team from the start, winning 6–2 with some heroics from Bob Gray in the middle frame.'M' Pucksters Defeat Tech, 6-2 The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/64 January 25, 1964 February 20, 2019 The second game was a much tighter affair with Gray and Tech netminder Garry Bauman keeping everyone off of the scoresheet until 3 seconds remained in the second when Wilf Martin broke the tie. The floodgates opened in the third with MTU and Michigan exchanging goals 6 times before sophomore Barry MacDonald salted the game away and the Wolverines skated off with a 5–3 victory.Icers Slash By Techmen, 5-3 The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/70 January 26, 1964 February 20, 2019 After downing a bad Colorado College team in two home games, Michigan went on the road to play two Ohio teams for the first time in program history. In the game against Ohio Michigan got off to a fast start and never looked back, scoring seven times in the opening frame. The Bobcats responded in the second, upping their play and coming close to scoring several times but Bob Gray kept everything out of the net. The extra effort seemed to sap Ohio who were outshot 21–2 in the third period and allowed a further 6 goals. Gray's shutout was his third of the season and set a new team record.Wolverine Icers Mangle Ohio U., 14-0 The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/142 February 8, 1964 February 20, 2019 The following night Michigan took on football rival Ohio State in the Buckeyes' first season on the ice. Because Ohio State was hampered by injuries the teams agreed to play with a running clock but that still didn't prevent Michigan from establishing several new program records. Michigan scored 21 goals to set both a program record and an NCAA record (since tournament play began) not only for the most goals scored in a game but for the largest margin of victory. The offensive outburst also raised Michigan's production to more than 9 goals per game. Backup goaltender Bill Bieber was in net and recorded the first shutout of his varsity career while Bob Gray played center and scored the first goals of his college career, including the 18th marker of the game that broke the previous program record.Wolverines Plaster Ohio State Icers, 21-0! The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/148 February 9, 1964 February 20, 2019 The Wolverines returned to Michigan and began a home-and-home series against arch-rival Michigan State. The Maize and Blue won the first game 2–0 with bob Gray earning his fourth shutout of the season, increasing his program record and establishing a mark that wouldn't be broken until 1996. The win was also the third consecutive shutout for Michigan, a record that still stands (as of 2018). In the second Game Michigan scored early and shortly thereafter MSU's starting netminder, Harry Woolf, had to be removed due to back spasms. Backup Alex Terpay stopped several breakaways but the Spartans were outmatched and Michigan scored the next four goals before MSU could answer. State's first goal, at 16:12 in the second, ended a 232 and 18 second shutout streak for the Wolverines that had begun two weeks earlier against Colorado College; It is by far the longest such period in team history.Michigan Icers Bop Hapless MSU, 7-2 The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/189 February 16, 1964 February 20, 2019 Michigan continued their Big Ten and WCHA dominance the following week with a pair of wins against Minnesota before hitting the road again and heading to Houghton. Michigan suffered only their third loss of the season in a fight-filled affair with Tech while Bauman held Michigan to a season-low 1 goal. With Bieber in net for the second game Michigan rebounded to earn a split while Michigan Tech lost Scott Watson for the season with a broken leg.Icers Edge Tech The Michigan Daily 1 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/267 March 1, 1964 February 20, 2019 Michigan finished out their schedule with a second home-and-home series against MSU, winning both games easily to finish atop both the Big Ten and WCHA standings. It was the Wolverines third Big Ten title and their first WCHA crown since the league had reformed in 1959. Because of the peculiarities of the WCHA schedule requirement, Michigan had not played either Denver or North Dakota during the season. While the Fighting Sioux had a relatively poor season, Denver had finished second in the league and likely would have put up much tougher competition that the Wolverines had faced to that point. In any event the Wolverines used their top billing to host Michigan Tech in the WCHA first round series. While Renfrew didn't think his team played particularly well the Wolverines skated away with a narrow 4–3 victory in the first game with Wilf Martin recording the game-winner.'M' Icers Seize Series Margin, 4-3 The Michigan Daily 1 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/349 March 13, 1964 February 20, 2019 With only a 1-goal lead to work with Michigan had to scramble when Tech opened the scoring with a goal in the first. The Wolverines tied the game before the frame ended but MTU got their second lead early in the middle period. Michigan responded with two goals of their own before exchanging a pair late to enter the third with Michigan up 4–3. Tech refused to quit and opened a barrage on Bob Gray, scoring twice to take the lead 5–4. While Michigan Tech was ahead after 60 minutes the series was now tied at 8 goals apiece and Michigan played in its first overtime game of the season. It took two extra periods to decide the series but in the end it was Blue's Jack Cole who sent Michigan to the WCHA title game.Sudden Death Tie Gains Win The Michigan Daily 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/360 March 14, 1964 February 20, 2019 Michigan welcomed Denver into Ann Arbor and, despite hiving to travel from Colorado after having played the night before, the Pioneers were the team with live legs. Denver scored twice in the first five minutes of the game and while Michigan halved their lead the Wolverines were uncharacteristically lethargic after their double overtime victory. Michigan had several chances to score but could only find the back of the net twice while DU was able to put six behind Bob Gray on only 16 shots.Denver Trips Up Icemen, 6-2 The Michigan Daily 7 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754241/367 March 15, 1964 February 20, 2019 Despite the unsatisfying finish to the conference tournament, Michigan's runner-up finish and WCHA regular season title earned them the second western seed and the Wolverines headed to Denver to participate in their 12th NCAA championship. Michigan opened against ECAC Hockey champion Providence and squeaked by the Friars 3–2 to set up a rematch with Denver for the NCAA championship. Playing in their home building, the Pioneers started the game by firing 15 shots on goal in the first but Bob Gray turned everything away, allowing Wilf Martin to open the scoring with just under 2 minutes left. Wakabayashi increased the Wolverines' lead with a power play marker early in the second and was followed soon thereafter by Jack Cole to build the Michigan lead to 3–0. Denver was able to close the gap with two goals in the final 15 minutes of the period but when Cole scored his second of the night early in the third Michigan put the pressure on the Pioneers. Future NHLer Wayne Smith cut the lead to 1 just before the half-way point of the period but Michigan's offense took over and scored twice more to take revenge on Denver and win their seventh National championship, the first under Renfrew.Michigan 2009-10 Hockey Yearbook http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/ihm-record-092209.pdf Michigan Wolverines 2016-12-30 2010-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20100807074042/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/ihm-record-092209.pdf dead Wilkie, Polanic and Gray were named to All-Tournament first team while MacDonald and Wakabayashi made it onto the second team. Gray received the tournament MOP for his stellar play. After the season Wilkie and Polanic were named as AHCA All-Americans and were joined by Butler on the All-WCHA First Team. Renfrew received the WCHA Coach of the Year while Polanic was awarded the WCHA Sophomore of the Year. For the only time in league history (as of 2018) the WCHA did not name a Most Valuable Player. The team won the national championship in 1964 against the University of Denver 6-3 in the finals on March 21,1964.University of Denver 2026-03-03 Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=University_of_Denver&oldid=1341431380 2026-03-27 enApril 2026 Standings UM UM Schedule During the season, Michigan compiled a 24–4–1. Its schedule was as follows. |- !colspan=12 style="Michigan Wolverines #FFFFFF;" | Regular season November 29 w yes no Queen's Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 9–5 1–0 November 30 w yes no Queen's Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 9–5 2–0 December 13 l yes no 1963–64 men Toronto Varsity Blues Toronto Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 3–5 2–1 December 14 w yes no 1963–64 men Toronto Varsity Blues Toronto Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 10–0 3–1 January 7 w yes yes 1963–64 men Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Curling and Skating Club Duluth, Minnesota 8–4 4–1 January 8 w yes yes 1963–64 men Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Curling and Skating Club Duluth, Minnesota 7–2 5–1 January 10 w yes 1963–64 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Williams Arena Minneapolis, Minnesota 5–1 6–1 1–0 / 1–0 January 11 l yes 1963–64 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Williams Arena Minneapolis, Minnesota 5–6 6–2 1–1 / 1–1 January 17 w yes no Loyola Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 12–1 7–2 1–1 / 1–1 January 18 w yes no Loyola Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 14–2 8–2 1–1 / 1–1 January 24 w no 1963–64 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 6–2 9–2 1–1 / 2–1 January 25 w no 1963–64 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 5–3 10–2 1–1 / 3–1 January 31 w no 1963–64 men Colorado College Tigers Colorado College Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 7–0 11–2 1–1 / 4–1 February 1 w no 1963–64 men Colorado College Tigers Colorado College Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 12–4 12–2 1–1 / 5–1 February 7 w yes yes 1963–64 men Ohio Bobcats Ohio Ossian C. Bird Arena Athens, Ohio 14–0 13–2 1–1 / 5–1 February 8 w yes yes 1963–64 men Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State OSU Ice Rink Columbus, Ohio 21–0 14–2 1–1 / 5–1 February 14 w yes 1963–64 men Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Demonstration Hall East Lansing, Michigan 2–0 15–2 2–1 / 6–1 February 15 w no 1963–64 men Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 7–2 16–2 3–1 / 7–1 February 21 w no 1963–64 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 6–3 17–2 4–1 / 8–1 February 22 w no 1963–64 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 8–2 18–2 5–1 / 9–1 February 28 l yes 1963–64 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Dee Stadium Houghton, Michigan 1–3 18–3 5–1 / 9–2 February 29 w yes 1963–64 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Dee Stadium Houghton, Michigan 4–3 19–3 5–1 / 10–2 March 6 w yes 1963–64 men Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Demonstration Hall East Lansing, Michigan 9–4 20–3 6–1 / 11–2 March 7 w no 1963–64 men Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan 13–4 21–3 7–1 / 12–2 |- !colspan=12 style="Michigan Wolverines #FFFFFF;" | #FFFFFF WCHA Tournament March 12 w yes no 1963–64 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan WCHA Semifinal game 1 4–3 22–3 7–1 / 12–2 March 13 t yes no 1963–64 men Michigan Tech Huskies Michigan Tech Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan WCHA Semifinal game 2 5–5 2OT 22–3–1 7–1 / 12–2 March 14 l yes no 1963–64 men Denver Pioneers Denver Weinberg Coliseum Ann Arbor, Michigan WCHA Championship 2–6 22–4–1 7–1 / 12–2 |- !colspan=12 style="Michigan Wolverines #FFFFFF;" | #FFFFFF NCAA Tournament March 20 w yes yes 1963–64 men Providence Friars Providence DU Arena Denver, Colorado National Semifinal 3–2 23–4–1 7–1 / 12–2 March 21 w yes yes 1963–64 men Denver Pioneers Denver DU Arena Denver, Colorado National Championship 6–3 24–4–1 7–1 / 12–2 Source: Michigan Hockey Record Book University of Michigan 7 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/ihm-recordbook-pre-2012-13.pdf 2013-09-07 2013-05-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20130516090050/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/ihm-recordbook-pre-2012-13.pdf dead Roster and scoring statistics 2 Michigan Wolverines No. Name Year Position Hometown unsortable S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts #FFFFFF PIM 18 Gary Butler Gary Butler (ice hockey) Senior F Regina, SK Saskatchewan 29 38 30 68 26 19 Gordon Wilkie Senior C Regina, SK Saskatchewan – 16 51 67 20 7 Wilf Martin Sophomore C St. Paul, AB Alberta – 34 24 58 10 2 Tom Polanic Sophomore D Toronto, ON Ontario – 8 38 46 92 6 Jack Cole Jack Cole (ice hockey) Junior F Oshawa, ON Ontario – 22 23 45 39 9 Mel Wakabayashi Sophomore C Slocan City, BC British Columbia – 21 17 38 2 12 Ron Coristine Senior LW Chatham, ON Ontario – 15 23 38 26 13 Barry MacDonald Sophomore F Montreal, PQ Quebec – 15 19 34 70 10 Bob Ferguson Bob Ferguson (ice hockey, born 1943) Sophomore F Toronto, ON Ontario – 10 21 31 56 5 Pierre Dechaine Sophomore F Mallaig, AB Alberta – 7 13 20 14 16 Marty Read Marty Read (ice hockey) Junior F Regina, SK Saskatchewan – 7 12 19 16 14 George Forrest George Forrest (ice hockey) Junior F Birmingham, MI Michigan – 5 8 13 8 11 Roger Galipeau Junior D Sturgeon Falls, ON Ontario – 2 7 9 40 4 Rick Day Rick Day (ice hockey) Sophomore D Timmins, ON Ontario – 0 6 6 12 17 Dave Newton Dave Newton (ice hockey) Junior D Ann Arbor, MI Michigan – 1 4 5 8 3 Ted Henderson Sophomore D Owen Sound, ON Ontario – – – – – 8 Alex Hood Alex Hood (ice hockey) Junior RW Regina, SK Saskatchewan – – – – – 1 Bill Bieber Junior G Chatham, ON Ontario 6 – – – – 1 Bob Gray Bob Gray (ice hockey) Senior G Owen Sound, ON Ontario 24 – – – – Total 217 Univ. of Michigan 1963-64 roster and statistics https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/803/univ.-of-michigan/1963-1964?tab=stats EliteProspects 2018-10-24 Goaltending statistics 2 Michigan Wolverines No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals against Saves Shut outs #FFFFFF SV % #FFFFFF GAA 1 Bob Gray Bob Gray (ice hockey) 24 – – – – 65 687 4 .914 2.7 1 Bill Bieber 6 – – – – 15 109 1 .879 2.5 Total 29 – 24 4 1 80 – 5 – 2.76 1964 championship game The 1964 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was held at University of Denver Arena in Denver, Colorado, on March 20 and 21, 1964. The teams invited to participate in the Frozen Four were the Providence Friars and the RPI Engineers from the East and Michigan and the Denver Pioneers from the West.NCAA Hockey The Telegraph March 16, 1964 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6pcrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0PQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4799,1423159&dq=michigan+denver+hockey&hl=en On March 20, 1964, Michigan defeated Providence by a 3–2 score in a semifinal game. Michigan trailed, 2–1, but tied the game on a goal by Ron Coristine at 12:33 of the third period. Gary Butler scored the winning goal on a pass from Gordon Wilkie at 15:23 of the third period.Michigan Sextet Tops Providence: Wolverines Triumph by 3-2 in N.C.A.A. Semi-Final The New York Times March 21, 1964 https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A1EFA385B1B728DDDA80A94DB405B848AF1D3 On March 21, 1964, the Wolverines faced the Denver Pioneers in the championship game. Michigan had lost to Denver by a 6–2 score in the finals of the WCHA Tournament one week earlier in Ann Arbor. In the NCAA championship game, Michigan took a 1–0 lead after 18 minutes of play on a goal by Wilf Martin. The Wolverines increased the lead to 2–0 with a goal by center Mel Wakabayashi at 2:19 of the second period. One minute later, they extended the lead to 3–0 on a goal by Jack Cole. Denver closed the score to 4–3 in the third period. Michigan scored twice in the final four minutes. Center Mel Wakabayashi and Jack Cole each scored two goals for Michigan.Michigan Sinks Denver, 6–3, In Final of N.C.A.A. Hockey The New York Times (AP story) March 22, 1964 https://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/23/archives/reprinted-from-yesterdays-late-editions-michigan-sinks-denver-63-in.htmlN.C.A.A. Title Won By Michigan Six: Denver Bows in Final, 6-3 -- R.P.I. Tops Providence The New York Times March 22, 1964 https://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/22/archives/ncaa-title-won-by-michigan-six-denver-bows-in-final-63-rpi-tops.html W1 Denver vs. W2 Michigan Denver Michigan University of Denver Arena March 21Michigan 2009-10 Hockey Yearbook http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/ihm-record-092209.pdf Michigan Wolverines 2016-12-30 2010-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20100807074042/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/ihm-record-092209.pdf dead 3 – 6 2 Scoring summary Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score 1st UMWilf MartinHood and Polanic 17:48 1–0 UM 2nd UMMel Wakabayashi – PPFerguson and Wilkie 22:19 2–0 UM UMJack ColeWilkie 23:22 3–0 UM DENBill Staub – PPHerrebout and Lindsay 25:34 3–1 UM DENRon LivingstoneSampson and Naslund 37:24 3–2 UM 3rd UMJack Cole – GWPolanic and Wilkie 44:08 4–2 UM DENWayne Smith – PPHerrebout 49:54 4–3 UM UMMel WakabayashiCoristine and Ferguson 56:49 5–3 UM UMAlex HoodPolanic and Martin 58:24 6–3 UM Shots by period Team 1 2 3 T Michigan 7 6 16 29 Denver 15 10 9 34 Goaltenders Team Name Saves Goals against Time on ice UM Bob Gray 31 3 DEN Buddy Blom 23 6 See also 1964 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament List of NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament champions References 50em Category:Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey seasons Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan Category:1963 in sports in Michigan Category:1964 in sports in Michigan