Harold Paulsen
Encyclopedia
Harold W. "Babe" Paulsen (born March 3, 1919 in Virginia, Minnesota
, died May 11, 2010 in Mankato, Minnesota) was a former collegiate ice hockey player and head coach.
Paulsen played hockey at the University of Minnesota
from 1938–41 and was an All-American in 1940 at left wing alongside fellow teammate John Mariucci
. He was team captain as a senior in 1940-41 finishing his career as Gopher
hockey's all-time leading scorer, a record that would hold for the next 25 years. He was selected for the 1940 U.S. Olympic Hockey team, but due to WWII those games were cancelled.
With boyish looks, and a small stature, Paulsen earned the nickname "Babe" during his playing days in high school and college.
Following college, Paulsen signed a professional contract with the Chicago Black Hawks
, but never made it to Chicago. He coached the Roseau
High School Rams varsity hockey team before joining the Navy during World War II. Paulsen returned to Minnesota after the war and completed a master's degree in education. He coached the varsity ice hockey program at Thief River Falls
High School.
Paulsen was hired as the first varsity ice hockey coach at Michigan State University
on August 1, 1948. Before recruiting or coaching, Paulsen oversaw the renovation of Demonstration Hall
into an indoor rink with artificial ice-making capabilities. Paulsen struggled through his first two years at Michigan State with a 6-25 record. MSU athletic director Ralph H. Young felt the hockey program's progress was inadequate and Paulsen resigned after the 1951 season.
Following his coaching career, Paulsen earned a doctorate in physical education from the University of Michigan
. He continued teaching health education courses at Michigan State. In 1956 he left Michigan State to become athletic director at Slippery Rock State Teachers College in Pennsylvania, now Slippery Rock University. Paulsen moved on to teach physical education at Mankato State College, now Minnesota State University, Mankato
, until his retirement in 1988.
In 2001, Paulsen was among 50 former Gopher hockey players honored by the University of Minnesota as "Legends on Ice."
Paulsen's last name is commonly misspelled Paulson in many hockey publications.
Virginia, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,157 people, 4,333 households, and 2,270 families residing in the city. The population density was 486.1 people per square mile . There were 4,692 housing units at an average density of 249.1 per square mile...
, died May 11, 2010 in Mankato, Minnesota) was a former collegiate ice hockey player and head coach.
Paulsen played hockey at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
from 1938–41 and was an All-American in 1940 at left wing alongside fellow teammate John Mariucci
John Mariucci
John Mariucci was an American ice hockey player, administrator and coach. Mariucci was born in Eveleth, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota where he played for both the hockey and football teams. He was named an All-American in hockey in 1940...
. He was team captain as a senior in 1940-41 finishing his career as Gopher
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
hockey's all-time leading scorer, a record that would hold for the next 25 years. He was selected for the 1940 U.S. Olympic Hockey team, but due to WWII those games were cancelled.
With boyish looks, and a small stature, Paulsen earned the nickname "Babe" during his playing days in high school and college.
Following college, Paulsen signed a professional contract with the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, but never made it to Chicago. He coached the Roseau
Roseau, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,756 people, 1,157 households, and 713 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,153.6 people per square mile . There were 1,229 housing units at an average density of 514.4 per square mile...
High School Rams varsity hockey team before joining the Navy during World War II. Paulsen returned to Minnesota after the war and completed a master's degree in education. He coached the varsity ice hockey program at Thief River Falls
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,410 people, 3,619 households, and 2,091 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,760.0 people per square mile . There were 3,931 housing units at an average density of 822.7 per square mile...
High School.
Paulsen was hired as the first varsity ice hockey coach at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
on August 1, 1948. Before recruiting or coaching, Paulsen oversaw the renovation of Demonstration Hall
Demonstration Hall
Demonstration Hall is a structure on the campus of Michigan State University. It was built in 1928 with offices, classrooms, and a riding arena for the Military Science department as a replacement for the Armory . Exhibitions of agricultural stock and implements were often held here, as well as...
into an indoor rink with artificial ice-making capabilities. Paulsen struggled through his first two years at Michigan State with a 6-25 record. MSU athletic director Ralph H. Young felt the hockey program's progress was inadequate and Paulsen resigned after the 1951 season.
Following his coaching career, Paulsen earned a doctorate in physical education from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He continued teaching health education courses at Michigan State. In 1956 he left Michigan State to become athletic director at Slippery Rock State Teachers College in Pennsylvania, now Slippery Rock University. Paulsen moved on to teach physical education at Mankato State College, now Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public four-year university located in Mankato, Minnesota, a community of 53,000 located southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. As of Fall 2011, the student body is the third-largest in the state of Minnesota with over 15,000 students...
, until his retirement in 1988.
In 2001, Paulsen was among 50 former Gopher hockey players honored by the University of Minnesota as "Legends on Ice."
Paulsen's last name is commonly misspelled Paulson in many hockey publications.