An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing and a crankshaft supported for rotation within the engine housing and rotatable in a starting direction to start said engine. At least one cup is fixedly mounted to the crankshaft for rotation therewith. A starter shaft is supported by the engine housing for rotation. A spring housing includes a circumferential flange that defines an annular track with the at least one cup, and a spring is housed within the spring housing. The spring has a first end interconnected with the spring housing and a second end interconnected with the engine housing. A friction roller is movable into the annular track and into engagement with both of the circumferential flange and the at least one cup to cause rotation of the spring housing and loading of the spring in response to rotation of the crankshaft. A unidirectional clutch is interconnected between the spring housing and the starter shaft, the unidirectional clutch causing rotation of the starter shaft in a starting direction in response to unloading of the spring, but not causing rotation of the starter shaft in a direction opposite the starting direction. At least one dog is interconnected with the starter shaft to engage the at least one cup in response to rotation of the starter shaft in the starting direction to thereby causes rotation of the crankshaft in the starting direction.