Sherf was born and spent his childhood years in Calumet, Michigan in the state\'s Upper Peninsula. He participated in youth ice hockey, which was popular in the cold climate of the area. By the time he graduated from Calumet High School his hockey skills were widely recognized. In the working class area where he was raised, he was destined to go to work in the copper mines in the area, continuing his hockey career in the local semi-professional leagues. A local physician took an interest in Sherf and provided him with a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.\n', '

Sherf attended Michigan from 1932 until 1936, majoring in history and playing hockey on the varsity team during all four years. John played hockey at Calumet High School and for the semi-pro Calumet Black Hawks before enrolling at Michigan. He played center at U of M for three seasons. No records are available for 1933–34. John was the leading scorer in the 1934–35 season with 23 goals and 14 assists in 16 games. In 1935–36, he was the leading scorer of the Western Conference with 33 goals and 10 assists in 17 games. That year, Michigan\'s opponents scored a combined total of only 30 goals. During his senior year Sherf was elected captain of the hockey team and later selected for the prominent senior men\'s honorary society, Michigauma. The honorary society was based on local American Indian traditions and each inductee was given an Indian name consistent with his college activities in the induction ceremony. Sherf\'s Michigauma name was "Flashing Feet Sherf", noting his skill as a hockey player.\n', '

Sherf graduated from Michigan with a BA in History in June, 1936. He married Mary Gaecke in Chicago, Illinois in about 1938. They had one son, John Paul Sherf.\n', '

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