At 5-6, 160 pounds, he was one of the smallest players to don a Blugold hockey uniform but made up for his lack of size with a big heart that earned him the team MVP and Richard G. O'Brien awards as a senior when the Blugolds advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. That was Jeff Jaraczewski.

Now, in memory of his heart and enthusiasm for the game, the Blugold team MVP award is named in his honor after his death in a September, 1996 accident.

Jaraczewski was the team MVP in 1989 when he led the Blugolds to a 15-12-5 record with a then school-record 48 points in 32 games. He scored 24 goals that season including 11 on the power play. He totaled 115 points during his Blugold career and was third on the all-time scoring list when he graduated. His senior year, Jaraczewski joined teammate Greg Robertson as a second-team American Hockey Coaches Assocation All-American. He also received the team's O'Brien Award in recognition of his dedication, determination and hustle.

A three-year All-Conference (WSUC) performer, Jaraczewski came to Eau Claire from DePere West High School and played for coaches Wally Akervik, Mike Eaves and Troy Ward. He was a teammate of current NHL player Alex Hicks among others.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a marketing major, Jaraczewski went to work as a sales rep for a contract furnishings dealership in St. Paul called PM Johnson's. He was extremely successful and in 1993 moved to an independent rep firm named Healy Furniture Associates. During his time at Healy, located in St. Louis Park, Jeff received the Rookie of the Year Award once and the Presidents Award twice.

Aside from his professional career, Jeff was an avid bodybuilder. In 1992, he competed in the Gopher State Bodybuilding competition, his first contest, and won the lightweights and the Gopher State overall award.

Return to Hall of Fame