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Special Edition: Husky Hockey
A legacy not easily forgotten
By Bobby Hart
Published:
Thursday, October 16, 2003
In SCSU's 16th season as a division I hockey program, there will be something missing.
There will be no inspirational shadow lurking around the Husky locker room, no motivational speeches and no more discrete whispers in the National Hockey Center stands of "Isn't that..."
Herb Brooks, SCSU's coach in 1986, and Team USA's coach in 1980's "Miracle on Ice" victory over the Soviet Union, died in a car accident Aug. 11.
Brooks, a 1990 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, came to SCSU after already building one of the most impressive coaching resumes to date. The East St. Paul native lead the University of Minnesota to three national title seasons with the Minnesota Gophers, but earned his fame throughout the world in the 1980 olympics.
A team made up of college players from the University of Minnesota and Boston, were hand- picked by Brooks to do the unthinkable: Beat quite possibly the best team ever assembled in the mighty Soviets. The 4-3 U.S. victory followed by a 4-2 gold medal win over Finland, propelled not only the greatest moment in sports history (according to ESPN), but also revived the faith of a nation that was near shambles after the Cold War and the capture of hostages in Iran.
Somewhere between all the historical achievements, Brooks received a phone call from SCSU's athletic director Morris Kurtz.
Kurtz, Branden McDonald (SCSU President at the time) and Bill Radovich (Vice President) had an idea to put Husky Hockey, a division III program at the time, on the map.
Brooks thought about the conversations he had with long time friend and Minnesota hockey legend John Marriucci.
Marriucci, who was dying of cancer at the time, told Brooks of his idea to establish more D-I schools in the state.
Brooks lead the Huskies to a 25-10-1 record and a third place finish in 1986, while also putting the eyes of the nation's hockey world on SCSU. One year later, Brooks took the job as North Stars head coach, while his assistant and long-time friend Craig Dahl took over as head coach of a brand new Division I program at SCSU.
The program's foundation and the newly renovated National Hockey Center's funding was heavily accredited to Brooks' political ties and national prestige.
"We wouldn't have a D-I program without his impetus and celebrity in helping us get there along with other guys like Branden McDonald, Bill Radovich, Morris Kurtz, Dave Spragel (vice president of student affairs). Without their blessings we wouldn't have gone anywhere."
Former 1980 Olympic player, and current St. John's hockey coach John Harrington agreed.
"I was surprised at the time (when Brooks took the job at SCSU) but when they decided to upgrade, they hired the right guy," Harrington said, who played under Brooks at the University of Minnesota and during the 'Miracle.' "Herb was more than a great coach, he was a great salesman of the sport that had a lot of passion."
Harrington kept an ongoing friendship with Brooks over the years and coached Herb's son Dan at Denver University from 1987-1991.
"Because I was coaching (Dan) we shared a different kind of relationship," Harrington said. "He was really good about it though, he never tried to step in...I've used a lot of things that I learned from him. He inspired me to be a coach."
Dahl, who was friends with Brooks for about 20 years, also learned a thing or two from the legend. Although Brooks was sometimes known as the stubborn, hard-nosed winning fanatic, Dahl knew him as otherwise.
"People think Herbie was more interested in winning and losing than he was in developing people, and they couldn't be more wrong," Dahl said. "His philosophy was to try and develop the best possible player and person that he could and he pushed hard. Even watching the way he dealt with things off the ice with things and his value system was phenomenal. He set a great example."
Brooks ended up coaching four NHL teams, including a four-year stint with the New York Rangers, where he reached 100 victories faster than any other of the franchise's coaches. His most recent job was as head scout of the Pittsburgh Penguins, which often brought Brooks back to SCSU to monitor the progress of Ryan Malone (Husky forward 1999-2002) who was drafted, and now plays for Pittsburgh.
"He was the foundation of this program and he believed in us, came to a lot of our games and talked very highly of us," said Husky senior captain Matt Hendricks. "We appreciate everything that he's given to this sport and this organization."
SCSU will wear Brooks' initials on the right shoulder of their jerseys as a tribute to their former coach, and further dedications are being discussed.
Dahl said his final farewell to his long-time friend at the visitation Sept. 26th, and will never forget Brooks' legacy. Although he was filled with sorrow at the visitation, he gained strength at the funeral the following day.
"The funeral, to me, was more of a celebration of his legacy because you realize all the people that he touched in his life," Dahl said. "This man has set a tremendous example for me and others and he's been a great mentor. The legacy he left was tremendous and it's like that little statement 'live your life so that when you die even the undertaker is sorry.' I think Herbie did that."
After a life of accomplishments, teachings and friendships established at and for SCSU, it's clear that there will be more than just Brooks' initials left of him at the NHC this season. Perhaps if one observes closely they'll still hear the slightest of whispers, or see an onlooking shadow. They can only be described as the remnants of a legacy.
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