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8/5/00- 2000 Alumni Game Last night I attended the Michigan Hockey Alumni games at Yost arena. Afterwards, I had to think back to my very Wolverine hockey game in 1979. I was a huge Michigan fan, even than, although I was only 9 years old. I had grown up watching hockey and really enjoyed sport but had never seen a college hockey game. The Wolverines went 8-27 that year, but they played Michigan Tech in the Great Lakes Invitational Tournament tough before losing in the 3rd overtime. I was hooked. It would 6 years until Red Berenson would return to Michigan and start building the Wolverines into the national powerhouse that they are today. So where is the program now? Well, under Red Berenson, the Wolverines won more games than any other college hockey program during the 1990's in addition to winning 2 national championships. Last night they were a number of players in the 'Big Time Game' who are currently in the NHL.
Wolverine hockey alumni have brought the Stanley Cup back to Michigan. And a number of Wolverine Hockey alumni returned to Yost arena to take part in the annual hockey alumni games. Afterwards, the players stayed late to sign autographs and meet with fans. They all decided to come back to Michigan a give a little back to the fans who supported them for so long. Red Berenson has re-built the Michigan hockey program. But more than he has turned out players who are great people. It's one of the things that makes hockey different from Football and Basketball at Michigan. A number of players regularly stay in touch with the program and continue to take an active role after graduation. It's a great testament to Coach Red Berenson and players that he was brought to Michigan. They are among the best examples of what Michigan men really should be... GO BLUE! Phil
Callihan |
