Mickey Volcan

Volcan was born on March 3, 1962, in Edmonton, Alberta{{cite web |title=Mikey Volcan |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/77001/michael-volcan |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=April 18, 2025}} to parents Sylvia and Mike.{{cite news |title=Birth announcements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-birth-announcements/170616089/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=September 8, 1966|via=newspapers.com}} His father was a professional football player in the Canadian Football League.{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Terry |title=Volcan Top Whalers' Surprise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-volcan-top-whalers-sur/170619609/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=September 24, 1980|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=Mickey Volcan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-mickey-volcan/170615048/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=March 25, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan's brother Marty and his nephew Nolan are also ice hockey players and both played in the Western Hockey League.{{cite web |last1=Rocca |first1=Taylor |title=Thunderbirds' Volcan aims to add to family's championship pedigree |url=https://chl.ca/whl/thunderbirds-volcan-aims-to-add-to-familys-championship-pedigree/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=April 18, 2025 |date=May 12, 2017}} Volcan is of Czechoslovakian descent.{{cite news |title=New Hawks perform well |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-new-hawks-perform-well/170615857/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=The Columbian |date=March 30, 1978|via=newspapers.com}}

Growing up in Edmonton, Volcan played both baseball and ice hockey. He represented Jasper Place Two in the 1974 Alberta District Number Two Little League major division of baseball playoffs.{{cite news |title=Little League Clubs Volcanized by Mickey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal/30739522/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=July 29, 1974|via=newspapers.com}} Due to his skills, Volcan often played above his age level in minor hockey. He spent his pee-wee years with a Bantam team and played midget ice hockey in his first year of Bantam eligibility at the age of 13.{{cite news |last1=Cole |first1=Cam |title='Jennerally' great? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal/76181304/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=January 24, 1976|via=newspapers.com}}{{efn|Bantam players are typically 14 years old and under, while midget players are 17 years old and under.{{cite web |title=Hockey Canada Announces Change to Age-Division Names |url=https://gthlcanada.com/article/hockey-canada-announces-change-to-age-division-names |publisher=GTHL |access-date=April 18, 2025 |date=November 19, 2019}}}} Volcan signed with the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in 1976 at the age of 15.{{cite news |title=St. Albert Saints news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-st-albert-saints-news/170620184/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=July 19, 1977|via=newspapers.com}} After participating in the Portland Winter Hawks' 1977 training camp, Volcan was reassigned to the St. Albert Saints for the 1977–78 season.{{cite news |title=Ice Chips |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-ice-chips/170620245/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=September 15, 1977|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Drummond |first1=Don |title=Volcan does in Rustlers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/red-deer-advocate-volcan-does-in-rustler/170615813/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Red Deer Advocate |date=October 14, 1977|via=newspapers.com}} He finished his rookie season second in voting for the AJHL's Rookie of the Year{{cite news |title=Babych top rookie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-babych-top-rookie/170615603/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=March 28, 1978|via=newspapers.com}} and was promoted to the Winter Hawks for the 1978 Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) playoffs.{{cite news |last1=Eggers |first1=Kerry |title=Hawks begin '2nd season' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oregon-journal-hawks-begin-2nd-season/170624734/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Oregon Journal |date=March 29, 1978|via=newspapers.com}} He scored his first goal of the playoffs on April 8 but the Winter Hawks were eliminiated in the same game.{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Lynn |title=Hawks out of playoffs on 4-3 loss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-hawks-out-of-playoffs-on-4/170620333/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=The Columbian |date=April 9, 1978|via=newspapers.com}}

Volcan returned to the Saints for the 1978–79 season, where he passed his previous season's total despite playing in fewer games. He was recognized with the AJHL's Most Valuable Defenceman award and a place on the All-Star team.{{cite news |title=Traders padlock rookie award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-traders-padlock-rookie/170620142/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=March 6, 1979|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=AJHL Outstanding Defenceman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-tribune-ajhl-outstandin/170911859/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=The Daily Herald-Tribune |date=September 11, 1998|via=newspapers.com}} While competing, Volcan also fast-tracked his schooling so he would be eligible for college at the age of 17.{{cite news |title=Volcan signs up for the American option |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-calgary-albertan-volcan-signs-up-for/170615746/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=The Calgary Albertan |date=November 18, 1979|via=newspapers.com}} After the Saints were eliminated, he was again called up by the Winter Hawks for the 1979 playoffs.{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Lynn |title=Winter Hawk pair return for playoffs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-winter-hawk-pair-return-fo/170615997/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=The Columbian |date=March 28, 1979|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan fielded offers from nine universities before accepting a hockey scholarship for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Upon joining the Fighting Sioux at the age of 17, he became the youngest player in the entire conference.{{cite news |last1=Foss |first1=Virg |title=No time to be heavy. So Merry Christmas to all! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-no-time-to-be-heavy/170626567/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=December 24, 1979|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan scored his first collegiate goal on November 16, 1979, against the St. Lawrence Saints.{{cite news |last1=Foss |first1=Virg |title=Smail lifts Sioux past St. Lawrence |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-smail-lifts-sioux-pas/170615936/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=November 17, 1979|via=newspapers.com}} He was unable to find regular playing time during the season and finished with two goals and 14 assists.{{cite news |last1=Foss |first1=Virg |title=Mickey Volcan a Whale of a find|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-volcan/170614158/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=December 17, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan was drafted in the third round, 50th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1980 NHL entry draft.{{cite news |title=Blaisdell picked by Detroit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-blaisdell-picked/170615250/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Wisconsin State Journal |date=June 12, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} This was the first year that the NHL allowed teams to draft 18-year-olds.{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Super 16: No. 1 picks in NHL Draft since 1980 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/super-16-nhl-power-rankings-top-number-1-draft-picks-317250648 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=April 19, 2025 |date=June 25, 2020}}

Following the draft, Volcan joined the Hartford Whalers for their 1979 training camp.{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Terry |title=Volcan, Galarneau Impressive Whalers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-volcan-galarneau-impre/170621435/ |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=September 18, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} Although the Whalers wanted him to return to school, Volcan persuaded them to give him a chance. Volcan surprised the Whalers' director of hockey operations, Jack Kelley, and head coach Don Blackburn during his time at camp with his poise and maturity.{{cite news |last1=Foss |first1=Virg |title=Fossbudgets |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-fossbudgets/170615292/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=October 15, 1980|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Caufield |first1=Owen |title=Blackie Has a Lot Going for Him |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-blackie-has-a-lot-going/170614861/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=November 7, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} As a result, Volcan beat out fellow rookie Fred Arthur for a roster spot{{cite news |title=Slap Shots |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-slap-shots/170620607/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Minnesota Star Tribune |date=October 12, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} and signed a multi-year contract with the team on October 9.{{cite news |title=Whalers sign Volcan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-whalers-sign-volcan/170620521/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=The Morning Call |date=October 10, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan stated that even if the Whalers did not sign him, he would still have left the Fighting Sioux for Tier 1 hockey in Canada.{{cite news |title=Volcan won't return to UND |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-volcan-wont-return-t/170627836/ |access-date=April 21, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=August 13, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} Upon making his NHL debut, he became the youngest player in the 1980–81 season.{{cite web |title=Mickey Volcan, the youngest player in the NHL, might be an ordinary rookie defenseman, but his on-the-job training has been a bonus for the Hartford Whalers this season. |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/02/06/Mickey-Volcan-the-youngest-player-in-the-NHL-mightbe/3458350283600/ |publisher=United Press International |access-date=April 18, 2025 |date=February 6, 1981}} Volcan tallied his first NHL point on October 15, 1980, by assisting on Steve Alley's goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins to help the Whalers earn their first win of the season.{{cite news |title=Whalers Win First; Beat Penguins 5-2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-whalers-win-first-beat/170620745/ |access-date=April 21, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=October 16, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} While he was limited to two assists through his first 17 games,{{cite news |title=Statistics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-statistics/170834717/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=November 18, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan was repeatedly praised by Kelley and Blackburn for playing beyond their expectations.{{cite news |title=Whalers win numbers game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-whalers-win-numbe/170834542/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=November 15, 1980|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Matheson |first1=Jim |title=Jim Matheson's Hockey Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-jim-mathesons-hockey-n/170834939/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=December 9, 1980|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Terry |title=Whalers See Payoff In Recent Draft Picks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-whalers-see-payoff-in-r/170634810/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=December 11, 1980|via=newspapers.com}} He scored his first NHL goal on January 15, 1981, in a 5–4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Terry |title=Dionne's 3rd Period Goal Spoils Whalers' Comeback |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-dionnes-3rd-period-goa/170615512/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=January 15, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} He scored two goals and 11 assists through 50 NHL games before being re-assigned to the Whalers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Whalers. One of the reasons for his reassignment was due to the return of Thommy Abrahamsson.{{cite news |title=Volcan fails to survive NHL's All-Star break |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-journal-volcan-fails-to-survive-n/170621503/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Record-Journal |date=February 11, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan scored his first goal in his debut game against the Springfield Indians.{{cite news |title=Bears give Hawks a helping hand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-expositor-bears-give-hawks-a-helping/170910694/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=The Expositor |date=February 12, 1981|via=newspapers.co}} However, he missed numerous games at the end of his season with the Indians due to a charley horse and hand injury.{{cite news |title=Sat. night fever blanks Whalers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-sat-night-fever/170910779/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=March 8, 1981|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=Win eases wounded Whalers' pain |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-win-eases-wounded/170835060/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=March 16, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} He finished the regular season with Binghamton collecting 10 points through 24 games.{{cite news |title=Whalers reunion at camp |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-whalers-reunion-a/170621313/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=July 5, 1981|via=newspapers.com}}

After attending the Whalers' preseason training camp, Volcan was returned to the AHL for the 1981–82 season.{{cite news |title=Fossbudgets |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-fossbudgets/170615570/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Grand Forks Herald |date=October 17, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} However, due to a separated shoulder, he was expected to miss the first three weeks of the to play the regular season.{{cite news |last1=Meisel |first1=Barry |title=Whalers open in Erie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-whalers-open-in-e/170910921/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=October 7, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} He returned to the lineup at the end of October and scored his first points of the season in his third game back.{{cite news |last1=Meisel |first1=Bobby |title=Whalers cop game with 'police' help |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-whalers-cop-game/170614694/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=November 5, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} On November 20, Volcan was recalled to the NHL level,{{cite news |title=Whalers' Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-whalers-notebook/170910949/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=November 21, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} but his debut was delayed due to a snowstorm.{{cite news |title=Whalers' Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-whalers-notebook/170910987/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=November 23, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} He was recalled again in December{{cite news |title=Transactions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-transactions/170911050/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=The Burlington Free Press |date=December 7, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} but suffered another injury later that month.{{cite news |title=Whalers' Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-whalers-notebook/170912781/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=December 21, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} He scored his first goal of the season with the Whalers on December 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{cite news |title=Whalers 7, Maple Leafs 3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-whalers-7-maple-leafs/170912834/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=The Morning News |date=December 28, 1981|via=newspapers.com}} When he was returned to the AHL on February 20, Volcan was advised by the coaching staff to be more disciplined with his play if he wanted to return to the NHL level.{{cite news |last1=Hobson |first1=Geoff |title=Volcan accepts detour |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-volcan-accepts-de/170614022/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=April 25, 1982|via=newspapers.com}} Due to the Whalers low place in the standings, Whalers head coach Larry Pleau stated he was comfortable slowly acclimating Volcan into the NHL.{{cite news |title=Oilers very fortunate in underage lottery |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-oilers-very-fortunate-i/170912894/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=February 23, 1982|via=newspapers.com}} Volcan helped push the Binghamton Whalers to the 1982 Calder Cup Finals against the New Brunswick Hawks. He suffered a bruised jaw in Game 2 and sat out one game before returning for Game 4.{{cite news |last1=Hobson |first1=Geoff |title=Whalers must reroute attack |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-whalers-must-rero/171034527/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=May 7, 1982|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last1=Meisel |first1=Barry |title=Volcan brushes jaws of tragedy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-volcan-brushes-ja/170614418/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=May 4, 1982|via=newspapers.com}}

Volcan returned to the Hartford Whalers for their training camp but was hospitalized with a viral infection.{{cite news |last1=Meisel |first1=Barry |title=Alumni cram for final Whalers' pairing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-alumni-cram-for-f/171032380/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=Press and Sun-Bulletin |date=September 23, 1982|via=newspapers.com}} He missed the entirety of training camp due to the virus but was expected to be healthy enough to start the 1982–83 season with the Whalers.{{cite news |title=Veisor in Goal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-veisor-in-goal/171047643/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=October 1, 1982|via=newspapers.com}} By the start of November, Volcan had accumulated one goal and two assists for three points.{{cite news |title=Sabres vs. Whalers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-sabres-vs-whalers/171047792/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=The Buffalo News |date=November 6, 1982|via=newspapers.com}} He suffered a hairline fracture in his right wrist in December and missed numerous games to recover.{{cite news |title=Short-Handed Whalers Promote Hoffman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-short-handed-whalers-pr/170614249/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=January 1, 1983|via=newspapers.com}} Due to this injury, he was a scratch for the Whalers game against the New Jersey Devils on January 15, 1983. When a snowstorm prevented a referee and a linesman from reaching the Hartford Civic Center, Volcan and opponent Garry Howatt became the first active players to officiate an NHL game.{{cite news |last1=Trecker |first1=Jerry |title=Whalers Win in 'Official' First |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-whalers-win-in-officia/171032841/ |access-date=April 25, 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=January 16, 1983|via=newspapers.com}}{{cite web |last1=Pinchevsky |first1=Tal |title=Volcan, Howatt made NHL history 30 years ago |url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=650647 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201211636/https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=650647 |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |date=January 16, 2013}} Due to the suddenness of the request, Volcan and Howatt donned black sweats and practice jerseys instead of typical official uniforms. While their time as substitute officials only lasted one period, Volcan was presented with a proper jersey as a memento. He finished the regular season with four goals and 13 assists through 68 games. On July 5, 1983, Volcan was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Joel Quenneville and Richie Dunn.{{cite news |last1=Duhatschek |first1=Eric |title=Flames continue trading moves |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald/127020115/ |access-date=April 27, 2025 |publisher=Calgary Herald |date=July 6, 1983|via=newspapers.com}}

In 1992, Volcan became the assistant coach for the Arizona State Ice Devils.{{cite news |title=Volcan-ized |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-volcan-ized/170911764/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |publisher=The Arizona Republic |date=April 13, 1992|via=newspapers.com}} He was promoted to head coach in 1999. As this was an unpaid position, he also taught power-skating at the Cellular One Ice Den.{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Gilbert |title=Power Ploys |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/power-ploys-6417439 |publisher=Phoenix New Times |access-date=April 19, 2025 |date=March 16, 2000}} Starting in 2000, Volcan also ran an ice hockey academy in Flagstaff, Arizona.{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Annie |title=Learning from a pro |url=https://azdailysun.com/learning-from-a-pro/article_afdd9d05-b2fa-5a37-9f6b-84f8137ad509.html |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Arizona Daily Sun |date=July 29, 2005}}{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Jeff |title=Year-round ice looks promising |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-sun-year-round-ice-looks-p/170633255/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=Arizona Daily Sun |date=November 21, 2000|via=newspapers.com}}

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Category:1962 births

Category:Living people

Category:Baltimore Skipjacks players

Category:Binghamton Whalers players

Category:Calgary Flames players

Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen

Category:ECH Chur players

Category:Colorado Flames players

Category:Hartford Whalers draft picks

Category:Hartford Whalers players

Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen

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Category:NCAA men's ice hockey national champions

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