Herb was born in 1944 in
Nays, Northern Ontario, shortly after his family was
moved eastward from British Columbia as were thousands of
other Japanese-Canadian families during World War II. The
Wakabayashi family, including three sons and two daughters,
arrived in Chatham in 1950. Shortly after Herb became
involved in sports, particularly minor hockey and minor
baseball. He went on to excel at both sports at the local
level with Chatham Junior Maroons, league champions in
1965 and five different Ontario Baseball Association
championship teams. Herb continued his excellent play at
college, and at international levels, culminating with
representing Japan in hockey at three different Winter
Olympic Games.
- 1964
- Entered Boston University. Played
freshman hockey (freshmen were not allowed to play
varsity sports) and had an outstanding year.
- 1965
- Set a Boston University, New England, and East
Coast Athletic Conference record for most assists
in a season (51)
- Named New England Sophomore of the Year
- Most Valuable Player in the Beanpot Tournament
- Called to the All New England and All East
Second Teams - playing with fellow Chathamite,
Eddie Wright. They became famous for their
penalty-killing talents and during one span did
not allow a shot on goal for 36 consecutive
minutes of man-short play
- 1966
- Although his point production fell off his Honours
did not
- Named to All New England, All East, and All
America First Teams
- Named team Most Valuable Player and Athlete of
the Year at Boston University 1967-68 - repeated
as All American and All New England
- Completed career as player with most assists
(90) and was second in all-time scoring (145
points) for Boston University
- Played baseball with BU Terriers in senior year,
hitting .367 and leading team to regional finals
of East Coast Athletic Conference playoffs
- 1978
- Inducted into Boston University Athletic Hall of
Fame, described as one of the university's most
outstanding hockey players
- After university, went to Japan to play and
coach hockey and ultimately played in three
Olympics, in 1972 at Sapporo, 1976 at Innsbruck,
and 1980 at Lake Placid, where he carried the
Japanese flag at the Opening Ceremonies
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Position:
Forward