Mike Donnelly was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams during his career. He was born on October 10, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan, and began playing hockey at a young age. Donnelly played college hockey at Michigan State University, where he was a standout player and helped lead the team to a national championship in 1986.
After college, Donnelly was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He spent several seasons playing in the minor leagues before making his NHL debut with the Sabres in the 1987-88 season. Donnelly played in 17 games for the Sabres that season, scoring two goals and three assists.
Over the next few years, Donnelly bounced around the NHL, playing for several different teams. He played for the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Islanders, the Dallas Stars, and the Ottawa Senators. Donnelly was known for his speed and his ability to score goals, and he was a valuable player for each of the teams he played for.
Donnelly's best season in the NHL came in 1991-92, when he played for the Kings. He scored 31 goals and had 27 assists for a total of 58 points in 74 games. Donnelly helped lead the Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals that season, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After his NHL career ended, Donnelly played for several years in Europe before retiring from hockey in 2001. He then went on to work as a coach and scout for several different teams, including the Kings, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Throughout his career, Donnelly was known as a hard-working and dedicated player who always gave his best effort on the ice. He was a fan favorite wherever he played, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. Donnelly's contributions to the game of hockey will always be remembered, and he will always be considered one of the best players of his era.
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