Arnie Oss was an All City basketball player at West High. He was All City in football and baseball too. Hockey? Oss did not play high school hockey. Instead he skated for the Kenwood Teals Minneapolis park league team.
There were two reasons for basketball over hockey at West. First, Oss was following in the footsteps of his father, a two time All American basketball player at the U of Minnesota. Second, West High did not have a hockey team during the WWII years. But Oss had clearly acquired some hockey skills playing park and pick up hockey at Lake of the Isles.
In 1946 he tried out for the freshman team at Dartmouth, coached by the legendary Eddie Jeremiah, where Oss became very good very quickly. In his senior season at Datmouth, 1949-50, Oss scored 36 goals, including 7 hat tricks, together with 19 assists and was named a first team All American. After graduating from Dartmouth Oss played for the Minneapolis Millers where his coach was John Mariucci. He also skated for the Minneapolis Jerseys, a team run by fellow Hall of Famer Walter Bush.
Oss was then named to the 1952 US Olympic Team where his 7 goals and 4 assists in 8 games helped lead the US to the Silver Medal. Post Olympics, Oss continued playing for a St Paul pro team for several years where one of his teammates was another fellow Hall of Famer, Bob Johnson. Oss then retired from hockey with his status as a legend firmly established.
Catch up on all of the Minneapolis Hockey Hall of Famers by visiting the Hall of Fame by CLICKING HERE
High School - Minneapolis West
Minneapolis Park - Lake of the Isles
Minneapolis West - All City Basketball
Dartmouth College - 1946 - 1950
1949-50 - All American Hockey
Senior Season - 36 Goals, 19 Assists - including 7 hat tricks in a row
Pro/Am Career - Minneapolis Millers, Minneapolis Jerseys
1952 - USA Olympic Team - Silver Medalist
7 Goals, 4 Assists in 8 Games
Arnie Oss today showing off his 1952 Silver Medal!
Oss, center, with teammates at the 1952 Olympics
Arnie today proudly sporting his Dartmouth sweater!
Silver Medalist - 1952 Winter Olympic Games
All American at Dartmouth - 7 Hat Tricks in a row his senior year!
Oss - Back row, third from right, with the 1952 USA Olympic Team