CHICAGO -- UIC Hall of Fame inductee Ray Staszak, a member of the inaugural class of 1990, was back on campus on Tuesday morning and he paid a visit to his old stomping grounds.

Accompanied by his daughter Catie, Staszak visited with UIC Athletic Director Jim Schmidt and Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA Tonya McGowan, among others, during his trip to the Flames Athletic Center. Since it had been a while since the Florida resident has been back on the University of Illinois at Chicago's campus, he also received a guided tour from Director of Facilities Bill Bavirsha.

Staszak was the first UIC hockey player inducted into the Hall of Fame, earning enshrinement in 1990. He starred on the ice for the Flames from 1983-85. In his first season the Philadelphia, native won the team's Dennis Hull Award, given annually to the most valuable player on the Flames. He was also the recipient of the Mark Nordling Award for his devoiton to his teammates and the sport of hockey.

During his second season, the nation began to really take notice of Staszak's rare ability. Scoring almost at will, Staszak paced the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with 37 goals while netting 72 points for UIC. He was the CCHA's most valuable player and he received All-America accolades.Staszak also finished as the second runner-up for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, which annually goes to the top collegiate hockey player in the entire country.

A bidding war developed for his services at the professional level and as a 22-year old undrafted free agent, Staszak signed a $1.4 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 31, 1985. At the time it was the largest sum a rookie in the National Hockey League had ever received. Injuries slowed Staszak's development in the Motor City. He played in four games for the Red Wings and tallied an NHL assist during the 1985-86 season. That year he also skated with the American Hockey League's Adirondack Red Wings, for whom he scored 13 goals in 26 games. He also lit the lamp twice during the playoffs and added three helpers.