Janaszak first became known in the hockey world as the star goaltender for Hill-Murray School on the East Side of Saint Paul.

He was voted most valuable player in the 1979 national championship tournament as the Gophers won the NCAA title.

Janaszak is best known for being the back-up goalie to Jim Craig on the Miracle on Ice 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal.

Unfortunately for Janaszak, the North Stars already had two quality goaltenders in Gilles Meloche and Gary Edwards, so there was no room for him.

He met his future wife, who was working as an interpreter during the 1980 Olympics in the athlete village, and they were married a year later.