Michigan Has Strong Ties to NHL Stanley Cup Final
5/31/2019 9:36:00 PM | Ice Hockey, Features
Eight years ago, former University of Michigan defenseman Steven Kampfer was a rookie on the Boston Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup championship team. His career has come full circle as he finds himself back with Boston, the team that drafted him in 2007, seeking his second Stanley Cup championship.
"I was fortunate my first year to win (the Stanley Cup), but it took another eight years to get back here," said Kampfer. "You realize how hard it is to get back to the top, but it's exciting."
After a successful four-year career at Michigan, which included three CCHA championships and four NCAA tournament appearances, Kampfer graduated from U-M and found himself on a veteran Boston team during his first full season as a professional.
"I was a young guy and just tried to soak up everything from guys like Mark Recchi, 'Z' (Zdeno Chara), Bergy (Patrice Bergeron) and guys like that," said Kampfer, reflecting on his first season.
After hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2011, Kampfer was traded the following year to Minnesota. While appearing in 13 games with the Wild, Kampfer spent the majority of the following two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Houston Aeros.
It was in Houston where Kampfer would grow his game and learn from a fellow Wolverine, Mike Van Ryn, who happens to be across the bench in the Stanley Cup Final as he is a coach for the St. Louis Blues.
Van Ryn played two seasons with the Maize and Blue, helping Michigan to its NCAA-record ninth national championship in 1998.
He had just wrapped up an eight-year professional career and was in his second season of coaching when he and Kampfer crossed paths in Houston; Van Ryn served as assistant coach and worked with the defensemen.
"I had Mike as an assistant coach when I was in the minors with Minnesota, so it comes full circle that we are both here," Kampfer said. "I learned so much from him when he was my coach, and to see him here has been great. He actually taught me to play defense, really showing me the ropes with things."
The two continued to stay in touch often throughout the years, except this week.
"We texted before the series started and I told him I was going to go silent on him until the series is over," Kampfer said.
Nine years into his professional career, Kampfer's roles have definitely changed. In his first go-around in the Stanley Cup Final, he was the rookie seeking guidance from the veterans, but now he is giving advice to his younger teammates.
"You definitely pass along the lessons you have learned throughout time. I have understood my role a bit different now," Kampfer said about being a sage veteran on the team. "You're not a young guy trying to soak up everything but someone who has been around a bit longer, so you're trying to pass along different information."
Even though Kampfer has been here before, he knows there is nothing easy about getting to, and playing in, a Stanley Cup Final.
"I'm relishing the opportunity and the moment as well," he said. "You don't take anything for granted this time of year and know how hard it is to get back."
Kampfer learned that there is nothing guaranteed in the NHL -- he was a Stanley Cup champion as a rookie, was traded and spent time at different levels of professional hockey. Now, he has returned where it all began, with a chance at a second championship.
One thing is certain, though: when this Bruins-Blues series is over, a Michigan man will be hoisting the Stanley Cup.
