Dr. Michael Collins, a former Notre Dame defenseman and now a Chicago-based orthopedic surgeon, is the winner of the 2010 Lou Lamoriello Award.
Named in honor of the former Providence College player, coach and administrator and current New Jersey Devils president and general manager, the Lamoriello Award recognizes a former college hockey player or coach who goes on to a distinguished career in or out of the game of ice hockey.
Collins played 44 games for the Irish from 1968-1970, compiling three goals and 11 assists during that time. While there, Collins saw Notre Dame become a Division I varsity sport.
“I have always been extremely impressed with Mike Collins and his accomplishments throughout his career,” former Notre Dame coach Lefty Smith said in a statement. “He was at Notre Dame when I arrived in 1968 and played two seasons for us when we were starting the program. His drive and work ethic were always what stood out to me and played a major role in his successful career. He’s an outstanding orthopedic surgeon. He’s written two books and he and his wife have raised a wonderful family with 12 kids. Mike has lived an absolutely amazing life. That’s why I thought he was so deserving of the Lou Lamoriello Award.”
Upon graduation, Collins spent several years driving a cab and working construction before finally deciding upon medicine as a career. After returning to college for two extra years to take pre-med courses, he attended the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine followed by five years at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Collins is now a full-time, board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Hinsdale Orthopedic Associates in Hinsdale, Ill. He and his wife, Patti, have been married 34 years and are the parents of 12 children.
In addition to medicine, Collins has also been writing professionally for more than 30 years. His first book, “Hot Lights, Cold Steel,” was published in 2005 and continues to be a best seller in the medical memoir field. His second book, “Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs,” about his days as a construction worker and cab driver trying to get into medical school, was published in 2009.
The Lamoriello Award will be presented to Collins on Friday, January 28, prior to Notre Dame’s home game against Miami.
