Anchorage’s Nick Mystrom attempts a field-goal in the CFL in 1995. Photo by John Bradley
The state of Alaska has never seen a football player quite like Anchorage’s Nick Mystrom.
A Swiss-Army-Knife-type player at Colorado College, he turned his attention to kicking in 1995 when he signed with the Memphis Mad Dogs of the Canadian Football League.
The Mad Dogs turned to an unknown rookie a few games into the season to replace injured or ineffective kickers. It was a daring move by Memphis, but Mystrom kicked to the curb any concerns about his ability to hang at the pro level.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder was named to the CFL All-Rookie Team after converting 37-of-47 field goals and all 18 PATs in 13 games.
- He booted a game-winning, 37-yard field goal inside the final minute to lift Memphis to a 22-21 win over Shreveport.
- He hit on all six field goals, including a career-best 51-yarder, to lead the Mad Dogs to a 26-7 win over Ottawa.
- He kicked four field goals in a 28-19 win over Birmingham.
Memphis finished the season with a 9-9 record, including a 7-6 mark with Mystrom in uniform.
Mystrom, of West High fame, was the first of four Alaskans to play in the CFL. He’s the state’s all-time leading scorer in the league with 137 points.
He played at Colorado College from 1989 to 1993, earning snaps at multiple positions from kicker to wide receiver and quarterback. Mystrom accounted for 18 touchdowns and 23 field goals for his career and remains the school’s all-time scoring leader for a season (101) and all-time (263).
His 154 receiving yards in college are seventh all-time among Alaskans while his 49-yard field goal ranks No. 1.
In 1991, he became the first Alaskan since Rocky Klever in 1979 to convert a TD trifecta at the college level with receiving, passing and rushing touchdowns in a career. Since then, only three other players from the state have accomplished the feat.
