Mike York - History
In the 1995-'96 season, his University freshman year, Mike York, of Waterford, Michigan, recorded 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 39 games for the Michigan State Spartans of the CCHA. The next year, he skated in 37 games for the Spartans and recorded 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points. Mike was then draft 136th overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, who acquired the draft pick in a trade with the San Jose Sharks. In his third year at Michigan State, he exploded for 27 goals and 34 assists, to lead the league with 61 points in 40 games for the Spartans. During the 1998-'99 season, Mike played 3 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, where he scored twice and had 2 helpers. During this season, his final year at Michigan State, Mike scored 22 times and recorded 32 assists for 54 points in 42 games.

On October 1, 1999, Mike York made his NHL debut at Skyreach Centre, to take the Oilers on before a sellout crowd at the official retiring of Wayne Gretzky's #99. During this season, Mike led the Rangers and all NHL rookies with 26 goals. At the same time, he got 24 assists for a total of 50 points. Mike was voted third in the Calder Trophy ballot, for the NHL's Rookie of the Year.

During the 2000-'01 season, Mike was dropped to the Rangers' checking line, and suffered from a bit of the sophomore jinx, to record 14 goals and 17 assists in 79 games. His +/- totals had shifted positively, from a chilling -17 in 1999-'00 to a respectable +1 during the '00-'01 season.

In the off-season, Glen Sather, the New York Rangers' General Manager, completed a long-awaited deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, acquiring veteran Eric Lindros. The Rangers' first line of York, Lindros, and Theoren Fleury quickly became known as the 'FLY' line for much of the 2001-'02 season. Mike scored 18 goals, and recorded 39 helpers for 57 points for the Rangers in 69 games. On October 29, 2001, the Rangers hosted the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden. Mike recorded his 3rd and 4th goals of the season. His 4th goal of the season, and second of the night, gave Theoren Fleury his 1,000th career point. During mid-season, Mike was third in league scoring, behind both Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames, and Brendan Shanahan of the Detroit Red Wings. After injuries to Eric Lindros, Mike's production began to slide slightly, and he recorded just 17 points between January 2nd, and March 18, 2002.

On March 19, 2002, the Edmonton Oilers acquired Mike York and a 4th round pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for debated defenceman Tom Poti, who just couldn't seem to shake the boo-birds at Skyreach Centre, and fourth-line center Rem Murray, who is strong in the faceoff circle, and a good checker. During the 1998-'99 season, Rem Murray led the Edmonton Oilers in goals, with 21, before suffering an injury. Bill Guerin eventually took over the lead and finished with 30.