Richard W. Best
Inducted
October 29, 1994
Arguably the finest goaltender ever to don a Huskies uniform,
Rick Best played hockey for the Huskies from 1964-67.
During his tenure, he split goaltending duties with the famed
Tony Esposito, giving the Huskies the most dynamic netminding
tandem in the nation.
Best finished his career with a 2.88 goals against average,
which stands today as the third best ever in the storied history of
Michigan Tech hockey.
An All-American First Team selection in 1967, Best has the
distinction of being the first goaltender to ever record a shutout
in NCAA Championship play. He did so with 20 saves in a 4-0
blanking of Brown on March 19, 1965, in semifinal action at the
Meehan Arena in Providence, Rhode Island.
Best, who also played one year of golf for MTU during his stay,
was an All-WCHA Second Team selection in 1967 and gained All-WCHA
honorable mention status both in 1965 and 1966.
