Nagobads was born in Riga, Latvia, and after receiving his medical degree from University of Tubingen in Germany, moved to the United States in 1951 to begin his surgical residency at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. He served as the team physician for the University of Minnesota men's hockey team for 34 years (1958-92) and was a part of three NCAA championship teams. Nagobads served as the team physician for five U.S Olympic Hockey Teams (1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1988), including the Miracle on Ice team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. He served as the team physician for 15 U.S. Men's National Teams, five U.S. National Junior Teams and the first-ever U.S. Women's National Team in 1990. In addition to his duties with the Gophers and U.S. national teams, Nagobads served as the team physician for the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the World Hockey Association (1973-76) and the National Hockey League's Minnesota North Stars (1984-92). He also served as chief medical officer for USA Hockey (1984-92). He was also appointed to USA Hockey's Safety and Protective Equipment Committee in 1984, and was named to the IIHF's Medical Committee in 1990.
In 2003, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) honored Nagobads with the Paul Loicq Award for serving international hockey in an extraordinary manner and promoting ice hockey worldwide. He was also honored by USA Hockey with both its Distinguished Achievement Award and Excellence in Safety Award in 2005. Nagobads was inducted into the Golden Gophers Hockey Hall of Fame 2010 and the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as an individual and as a member of the U.S. men's national team in 2010.
Nagobads turned 100 on Nov. 18, 2021. He and his family will be honored at a Wild game later this season.
The State of Hockey Legacy Award, presented by the Wild, Minnesota Hockey and Bally Sports North, recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and long-term contributions to hockey in Minnesota. Past recipients are John Mayasich (2021), Doug Woog (2020), Larry Hendrickson (2019), Bob Naegele, Jr. (2018), Walter L. Bush, Jr. (2016), Bob O'Connor (2015), Lou Nanne (2014), Glen Sonmor (2012), Neal Broten (2011) and Lou Cotroneo (2010).
