Muckalt Reflects on Journey from U-M Icer to Associate Head Coach
7/5/2017 11:27:00 AM | Ice Hockey, Features
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- There was plenty of emotion at the Fleet Center in Boston after freshman Josh Langfeld scored in overtime to make the University of Michigan the 1998 NCAA hockey champions with a 3-2 win over Boston College.
However, one scene of jubilation went deeper than most. It was Wolverines coach Red Berenson putting a bear hug on his All-America right wing, Bill Muckalt, on the bench. Neither of them wanted to let go because they had experienced four seasons together that neither wanted to end. It was the kind of hug fathers place on sons at special moments in life.
"Red had been like a dad to me and a father figure," said Muckalt, who also was instrumental on the 1996 national championship team. "He convinced me to come back for my senior year, and so it was special for both of us. We'd lost so much from the previous team, but the freshmen came in and jelled and got their feet under them in the second half of the season.
"Marty Turco made big saves and Chris Fox and Matt Herr and Bobby Hayes and so many guys contributed. But that was a special moment for me to share that with Red. It was kind of like the mission's complete and we're leaving it in the best spot. That was obviously so rewarding for our class."
Muckalt has signed on for a new hockey "mission," joining new Michigan head coach Mel Pearson's staff after Pearson replaced Berenson, who retired.
"I recruited him three times and got him again," Pearson said of Muckalt, whom he was instrumental in bringing to Michigan from Williams Lake, British Columbia and also hired six years ago for his Michigan Tech coaching staff.
Muckalt, a Hobey Baker Award finalist while scoring 32 goals with 67 points as a senior, was a ninth-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks prior to college. He went straight from Michigan to the NHL, scoring 16 goals with 36 points as a rookie. However, injuries to his neck and shoulders cut short his career. Muckalt had 11 separate shoulder surgeries as a player.
Along the way, he bought a house in the Travis Pointe community just a short drive from Yost Ice Arena and rented it out while embarking on his coaching career. He coached in the bushes for the Valencia (California) Flyers and the New Mexico Mustangs before helping Pearson revive the Michigan Tech program. Muckalt two years ago became the head coach and general manager for the Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Nebraska. He led them to a USHL championship and developed a number of NHL draft picks before getting the call from Pearson.
Q: Describe what it's like to return and coach at the school where your heart and soul have been ever since playing here.
A:Â The memories of being a student-athlete here and just Red -- the legacy and the success of experiencing Michigan -- I mean it's special. It's a special place with special people. I found that out before, and my coaching journey has been awesome. It took us nine years to get back to our house here. I never sold it. I just really wanted to get back here someday.
It was a dream and a goal, and a lot of sacrifice went into going from Valencia to Albuquerque to Houghton to Kearney to here. But it's been a very rewarding experience to come back to help coach and teach and build young men at Michigan. I am so excited to be back. I believe in Mel and Michigan, and look forward to getting to know our student-athletes and helping them become better. I believe in our ability to have success here.
Q: What initially attracted you to Michigan as a recruit?
A: I would watch Michigan football and basketball, and the Fab Five was going on. So, Mel came out to recruit me and on my visit I got to see the Fab Five, visit and meet Coach (Steve) Fisher. It was an unbelievable experience.
But it wasn't just hockey, football or basketball. It went from the law school to the medical school to the hospital to the business school and all of these different professions. You meet so many who are successful in their chosen professions, and are the leaders and best. I wanted to go where I could get the best education and get developed to play in the National Hockey League, and be part of a team that had a chance to win. And Michigan checked all the boxes.Â
Q: How would you have been different if you hadn't come to Michigan?
A: Boy, I don't even want to think about what would've happened had I gone to major junior (league hockey) ... I wouldn't really want to think about it. The relationships and the friendships and the memories that I made here. And I was taught so much about preparation and communication and life skills. I learned the Michigan way.
Competition breeds success and we pushed each other. But we were also part of that family, and it was all about the team. That's why we had so much success.
Q: What's something you know about Mel Pearson that perhaps most people don't?
A: I know a lot about him. I know that he's extremely passionate about the game, and 24/7 loves hockey. He's addicted to hockey. He's got a lot of tremendous traits and one of the things I think he's very good at is being able to get the most out of a player. He recognizes when a student-athlete is under-performing and figures out whether he needs confidence, encouragement or teaching -- does he need the ruler or the carrot?
He knows how to relate to every player whether he's on the top line or not even in the lineup. He does it because he shows them he cares about them.
Q: What did you find yourself utilizing from Mel when you coached in Kearney?
A: I took a lot (laughter). You take drills, approaches, preparation, organization and style -- playing the game the right way, playing fast and playing with pace. We're emulating the National Hockey League because we want our players there. We place an emphasis on academics and both of us believe that goes first. Life is bigger than the game of hockey. And we had eight or nine players from our first team (in Nebraska) who were very good contributors to their college teams as freshmen. So, good for them.
Q: What was the greatest impact playing in the NHL had on you?
A: You are playing with and against the greatest players in the game and learning and watching. It was a dream come true. My one regret was not winning the Stanley Cup, but the impact was knowing what it took to get there so we can pass it onto our student-athletes.
Q: Steve Shields (Michigan's volunteer coach for goalies) just stopped by and showed us a video of you putting a crushing hit on Wayne Gretzky, who crumpled to the ice. Tell us about what happened there.
A: They gave him a vehicle for being the NHL All-Star Game MVP before that game at Madison Square Garden. He was with the New York Rangers and I was with Vancouver. Then we get into the game, and Gretz wasn't ready for that hit and he was five feet off the boards. I'm coming and I'm coming, and I thought he knew I was coming and would deke me and make me look silly.
When I got from me to you (one yard away) from him, I realized he didn't know I was coming. So, what am I going to do? Just stop? I eased up a little but finished my check. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for him. I got a penalty for hitting him too hard probably and he came out of the game.
Q: What are your responsibilities on this staff?
A: Obviously, recruiting's going to be hands-on for the whole coaching staff, and I know Coach (Pearson) wants me to help with the forwards. But whatever Coach wants, I'm ready to get at it and help with (returning assistant coach) Brian (Wiseman).
I'm thankful to the administration, and humbled and honored to be back. I'm delighted to be back.
They're all on that "mission" to continue what Berenson brought them together to accomplish.
"You know," Muckalt said with a smile, "we were all afraid to talk to Red as freshmen. Then, when I was a senior, Red was calling me in to talk about who we should put on the power play."
Muckalt said that what Berenson did was "empower" them to do big things, and that's what the former student has signed on to help the next wave of Wolverines realize. And maybe someday one of those players he develops a special bond with will get a bear hug from Muckalt on the bench as a way of saying thank you in a manner both will remember forever.
