A Conversation with U-M's New Ice Hockey Coach
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The first thing fans should know about Mel Pearson is that he's a winner who was raised in hockey by a trio of Wolverine legends as well as a father who played in the NHL for the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The second thing that stands out about Pearson is that he's a people person with a lively sense of humor. When I asked what made him proudest from his near quarter-century as a University of Michigan assistant coach, he said it was the relationships built with his players. He also frequently makes light of things while making points.
Pearson, named the head coach at Michigan Monday afternoon (April 24), exactly two weeks after Red Berenson retired with 848 victories in 33 seasons, was largely developed by three Wolverines who won NCAA championships as either players or coaches.
Q. You've coached against Red 10 times and beat him the last time, 2-0, in the Great Lakes Invitational in December. What did you find out about Red when you went against him?
A. What a competitor he was. I knew that, but the reason I say that is because there's no, 'Let's get together chummy-chummy.' It was, 'We're here to beat you' and very old school. He wanted to win and didn't care who it was against.
He's got me, 4-5-1, and I'm never going to be able to change that (loud laughter). He'll always have that on me. And good for him. I'm just so privileged and honored to come back and lead a program like Michigan. I'm extremely excited and can't wait.
Source: MGoBlue.com, Steve Kornacki, 4/24/17
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/042417aai.html
awesome. Good job Hackett er . . . . . I mean Warde.
Hockey will be just fine for the next 10-15 years. I don't see M slipping like they did this year under Mel any time soon.
Warde made it happen and I give him credit.
Few things from this interview:
1. Red played against Mel's Dad at a Junior Tournament in Canada once
2. Mel's three kids and son-in-law are all Michigan grads.
3. Red is a joker
Q. What has Red's biggest impact been on you?
A. I'd say it's just the way he carries himself with professionalism and how he approached the game and coached people and stressed education. He walks the walk, and with his honesty and integrity you know what you are going to get.
People see him as this stoic guy, but he also had a great sense of humor. Like when I called to tell him I got the job and he said, 'Mel who?' That was classic.
I'm just excited for some new blood. Red had clearly gotten stale. Pearson should have success here.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:12 AM ^
now, time to get to work on that car!