The first American to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, also from Michigan’s upper peninsula, was Clarence “Taffy” Abel of Sault Ste.
Sherf was born and spent his childhood years in Calumet, Michigan in the state's Upper Peninsula.
A local physician took an interest in Sherf and provided him with a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Sherf attended Michigan from 1932 until 1936, majoring in history and playing hockey on the varsity team during all four years.
During his early years with Ford, he attended Wayne State University in Detroit where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree.
Before he was awarded his degree at the annual commencement ceremony, he was signed to a contract by the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL).
He played several games at the end of the 1935–36 season with the Red Wings top farm team, the Detroit Olympics.
At the end of the 1936–37 season Sherf was called up by the Red Wings for the playoffs to help defend their Stanley Cup championship.
Because of his skating speed, he was often re-called to the Red Wings to participate in the annual NHL skills competitions.
Sherf is still the seventh leading scorer in the history of the Pittsburgh Hornets, scoring 94 goals and 121 assists in 301 games played.