LoPresti left the NHL during the Second World War to join the United States Navy where he served on board the SS Roger B. Taney. The ship was torpedoed during a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean and sunk in 1943; LoPresti was one of 29 sailors who survived 42 days lost at sea in a single lifeboat before being rescued off the coast of Brazil. LoPresti was credited with saving the lives of his shipmates by killing a dolphin with a sheath knife, providing nearly the only food they had during their ordeal.\n', '

LoPresti was born January 30, 1917, in Elcor, Minnesota, though he grew up in the nearby community of Eveleth. He played football as a youth, playing at tackle and fullback. He had never worn a pair of ice skates until the ninth grade. However, inspired by local players Frank Brimsek and Mike Karakas, he took up the position of goaltender and was his high school team\'s starter by his final year of high school. He played for local junior colleges where he was scouted by the American Hockey Association (AHA)\'s St. Paul Saints.\n', '

In his first season with the Saints, 1937–38, LoPresti appeared in 48 games, posting a 10–38–2 win-loss-tie record and a 3.62 goals against average (GAA). He improved to 23–21–2 the following season. In his third season in St. Paul, LoPresti was named to the league\'s second all-star team after recording 29 wins and 4 shutouts. The Saints won the AHA championship, defeating the Omaha Knights in four games, LoPresti posted a 6–1 record and 1.29 GAA during the playoffs.\n', '

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