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Eaves having rough start
Former North Star makes stop in Madison to try and maintain Badger hockey program's prestige
Just name a hockey team, and Mike Eaves has probably coached it.
In his 18-year coaching career, the former North Stars Rookie of the Year and US Olympic team forward (1979-80) has earned the well-deserved reputation as a 'wanderer' after taking jobs at nearly all levels including the NHL (Pittsburgh, Calgary, Philadelphia), AHL (Hershey Bears), Team USA, U.S National Developmental, Division I college, Division III college (UW Eau-Claire) and high school (Shattuck St. Mary's).
His latest job as head coach at the University of Wisconsin, where he currently holds the school's scoring title as a player (1974-78), seemed to be a perfect fit for him after former head coach Jeff Sauer retired last season. It's been anything but that so far for Eaves and his 4-15-3 Badgers.
As the Huskies head to Wisconsin for a crucial series that may determine their playoff fate, they may remember to use their manners while glaring behind the Badgers bench, because they will be looking at a man that helped the SCSU hockey program take its first steps. Eaves was an assistant coach under Craig Dahl in the 1987-88 season when SCSU made the jump to Division I.
"I have fond memories of St. Cloud," Eaves said. "It's nice to see how successful they've been. Craig and his players are doing a great job and they've passed the test of time. They have a goal."
Many of Eaves' goals have been short-termed seeing as though he's coached 11 different teams, none of which for more than four years. But he has looked at his broad-based career as a positive; especially in the rebuilding situation he's in now.
"It helps you to be ready for all kinds of situations and gain different spectrums," Eaves said. "In those situations it helps you decide on the different courses of action you need to take. When a big decision arises that you need to be committed to making, it helps that you've been in different types of situations."
One transition that has proven to be difficult for Eaves is going from coaching pros to college players. After being an assistant coach for 10 years in the NHL for three different teams, and playing in the NHL for nine years for two different teams (Minnesota, Calgary), he's learned just how different the two worlds can be.
"With the NHL guys you really see hockey as a life they lead," Eaves said. "Hockey is numero uno and they play with pride and passion. Often times those guys find a way to coach themselves because it's a job."
"I think in college, I mean, it's pretty nice here, you've got school, hockey and you get to travel. The atmosphere tends to be a little like a country club so you've got to keep the fight in them. You hope that you have guys where hockey is a passion for them, but hockey is a hard game. You've got to get your finger nails dirty and nose bloody and sometimes that's not the basic nature of being on campus, because it's so nice."
Passion has been a concern for a Badger team that has been disappointing so far this season at a university that isn't used to disappointments from its hockey program. Sauer racked up a school record 483 wins. Eaves knows that better than anyone since he led the Badgers to a national title in 1977. With hand-picked assistants John Hynes, Troy Ward and John Howard, Eaves will try and rebuild a program that was led by Sauer for 20 years. The major focus of that process will be recruiting.
"I think the fact that they have a national name in the University of Wisconsin to recruit to, the nice facility they have with full time strength and conditioning coaches, full time academic assistance programs, all those things will probably be the biggest help to him," head coach Craig Dahl said.
"Some of them have it," Eaves said. "One thing I can tell you for sure is that the level of passion has risen because of the nature of the coaching staff."
Around the Rink
-Things went from bad to worse last Saturday night in the third period. As the Huskies gave up a four-point swing to lose to the No. 1 Colorado College Tigers, they also lost senior Ryan Malone for probably two more weekends as the assistant captain dislocated his right kneecap when he collided with Tiger freshman Aaron Slattengren.
The injury is his third of the season after an injured hip flexor in December. Added to that was a pulled groin in which he just recovered from after being out a month.
"It's pretty frustrating," Malone said. "I worked hard this summer to have a big year and it's been one thing after another. It started in December when I hurt my hip flexor. It's been a battle ever since to get to 100 percent again."
Malone, and fellow assistant captain Jeff Finger (strained and torn ligaments in right knee), will probably be back for the Huskies last regular season series against Minnesota beginning March 7.
-Finally for some good news. Junior Matt Hendricks made much-needed contributions to the Husky power play last weekend by adding two goals. Hendricks has been working hard in the slot all year with the most physically draining role in the power play of fighting for position in the crease.
"You just have to stay in there," Hendricks said. "One went off my knee on Friday night so it pays. You pay the price, but you get some goals out of it."
Hendricks is currently tied for sixth in the WCHA with nine power play goals.
-Jake Moreland received co-WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors after 42 saves Friday night. He tied an SCSU record with 49 saves on Saturday.
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