Rob Blake is considered one of the best defensemen to ever play the game of hockey, and for three years he graced the ice sporting the white and orange for the Bowling Green State University Falcons. Rob Blake, born December 10, 1969 in Simcoe Ontario, started playing for the Falcons during the 1987 – 1988 season recording 13 points and 88 penalty minutes in 43 games. At the end of his freshman season, Rob was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL) 70th overall.
He went on to play for the Falcons another two years scoring 32 points his sophomore year and 59 points his junior year before moving on to the NHL. During his three years playing for the Falcons, Blake recorded 104 points in 131 games and was named to the CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) second team all star in 1989, first team all star in 1990 and NCAA West First All American Team in 1990.
In his first full NHL season, Blake scored 46 points and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1991. During the 1997-98 season, Blake won the James Norris Trophy as the best defensemen. He went on to play with the L.A. Kings until 2001 when he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
In 2001, Blake reached the highest goal that any hockey player dreams of, he won the Stanley Cup.
Rob Blake went on to play 9 more years in the league, going back to L.A. in 2006 and then on to San Jose in 2008. He hung up the skates on June 18, 2010 after a Hall of Fame worthy 11 year career.
Some of the major awards during Blake’s career;
• James Norris Memorial Trophy – 1998
• The Stanley Cup – 2001
• Winter Olympics Gold Medal – 2002