A big defenseman at 6-4 (193 cm), 210 (95 kg), Tom Hirsch starred at the University of Minnesota and was drafted by the hometown Minnesota North Stars in the second round of the 1981 NHL entry draft. He started in the NHL with the North Stars after the 1984 Winter Olympics, playing for them for two seasons. But a severe shoulder injury, followed by surgery, caused him to miss two full seasons, and he played parts of the 1987-88 with Minnesota and then retired from hockey. He also competed for the US at the 1982 World Championships and 1984 Canada Cup.