He chose instead to play college hockey for Michigan Tech. Upon graduating, he spent three years playing in the minor leagues before being signed as a free agent by the North Stars in 1981, and made his NHL debut that year.
Rather than attending university, he decided to focus on college hockey at Michigan Tech. Following graduation, he spent three years playing in lower-level leagues before being signed by the North Stars in 1981 and entering the NHL for the first time that year.