Mark Wells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mark Wells |
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| Born | September 18, 1957 St. Clair Shores, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Died | May 18, 2024 (aged 66) Escanaba, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | ||||||||||||
| Shot | Right | ||||||||||||
| Played for | Nova Scotia Voyageurs Flint Generals New Haven Nighthawks Fort Wayne Komets Oklahoma City Stars |
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| National team |  United States |
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| NHL Draft | 176th overall, 1977 Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 1980–1982 | ||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Mark Ronald Wells (September 18, 1957 – May 18, 2024) was an American ice hockey player. He played as a forward, which is an attacking position in hockey. Mark is best known for being a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. This team achieved something truly special, often called the "Miracle on Ice".
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Early Life and College Hockey
Mark Wells grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He finished high school there in 1975. After high school, Mark went to Bowling Green State University from 1975 to 1979. He was a star player for the Falcons hockey team. Even though he was a very good player, he didn't get a scholarship to play hockey until after his first year.
The "Miracle on Ice" Team
After college, Mark Wells was chosen to play on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey team. His teammate from Bowling Green, Ken Morrow, was also selected. This team went on to win the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Mark played as a centre on a line with Phil Verchota and Eric Strobel. Their victory was a huge surprise and is remembered as the "Miracle on Ice."
Professional Hockey Journey
In 1977, Mark was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL draft. He was the 176th player chosen overall. After the Olympics, he joined the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, which was a top farm team for the Canadiens. However, he wasn't able to get a spot on the main Montreal Canadiens team.
He was later traded to the Detroit Red Wings after the 1980 season. But Mark decided not to join them and was released from his contract. He then signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent. For the next two years, he played for several different teams in the minor leagues. These teams included the New Haven Nighthawks, Flint Generals, Fort Wayne Komets, and Oklahoma City Stars. Mark Wells decided to retire from hockey in 1982. He never played a game in the NHL.
Life After Hockey
After he stopped playing hockey, Mark Wells worked as a restaurant manager in Rochester Hills, Michigan. During this time, he hurt his back while moving some boxes. Doctors discovered he had a rare spinal condition that affected the disks in his back. This condition meant he needed many surgeries and sometimes had to stay in bed for long periods.
Despite his health challenges, Mark was able to join his "Miracle on Ice" teammates for a reunion game. This happened before the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Even though his doctors advised against it, he played one shift and even took a shot on goal!
In 2010, Mark faced financial difficulties due to his medical bills and needed more surgeries. He made the very tough decision to sell his Olympic gold medal. He sold it to a private collector for $40,000. The medal was later sold again by the buyer for a much higher price. Mark had kept the medal by his bed for over 20 years. He said in an interview that selling it was incredibly hard, but he had no other choice to get the medical care he needed and keep his home.
In his later years, Mark attended many community events. He spoke at different places, including fundraisers and special seminars. He also made appearances at hockey tournaments and collector shows. Mark Wells lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He passed away on May 18, 2024, at the age of 67.
Awards and Honors
- Olympic Gold Medal in Men's Ice Hockey with the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team: 1980
- In 2014, officials in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, renamed the Olympia Room at the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena as the Mark Wells Ice Rink.
See also
In Spanish: Mark Wells para niños
