Herb Wakabayashi

Herb Wakabayashi
Born	(1944-12-23)December 23, 1944 Neys, Ontario, Canada
Died	June 2, 2015(2015-06-02) (aged 70) Sapporo, Japan
Height	5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight	150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	N/A
Played for	Boston University Terriers
Playing career	1962–1983

Osamu "Herb" Wakabayashi (December 23, 1944 – June 2, 2015) was a Canadian-Japanese professional ice hockey player.

Biography and career

He was born in Neys, Ontario, and moved to Chatham, Ontario, where he excelled at both hockey and baseball. In 1964, Wakabayashi entered Boston University where he played freshman hockey. In his sophomore year, he moved up to varsity where he set a Boston University and ECAC record for assists in a season with 51. In the same year he was named the most valuable player of The Beanpot.

The following year his accolades continued when he was named to the All America, All East and All New England first teams, as well as the Most Valuable Player on his team and Athlete of the Year of the University. As a senior, he again received All American and All New England honors. He finished his illustrious career with the most assists in Terrier history with 90 and second all time scorer with 145 points. Also in his senior year he played baseball where he hit .367 leading the Terriers to the regional finals of the ECAC playoffs.

In 1972, he and his brother Mel moved to Japan where they represented the Japanese national ice hockey team. He played in three Olympics, including the 1980 games at Lake Placid. He carried the Japanese flag at the opening ceremony of the 1980 Winter Olympics. He died on June 2, 2015, in Sapporo, Japan.

Awards and honors

Award	Year
ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Second Team	1967, 1968, 1969
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team	1967–68
AHCA East All-American	1967–68
All-ECAC Hockey First Team	1968–69
AHCA East All-American	1968–69