Sad news

[siouxfan1]

I am stunned for words, sadden by the loss of a great college
coach, I was so looking forward to seeing Coach Walsh and his
Blackbears when they came to North Dakota, now it just won't
be the same. My condolences to the Walsh Family and to the
University of Maine in their time of loss and hurt. God Bless!!



GO BLACKBEARS!!!

[kellyd2727]

DEFINITELY name the Ice after Walshy because he's THE ONE who put Maine Hockey on the map so to say. A fitting tribute to a fitting man.

[ClOuD 9]

Associated Press story: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010924/sp/hkc_obit_walsh_4.html

[Randy May]

:(

[The_Greenkeeper]

:( Nuf said.

[GATOR]

Hey that's a wonderful idea & it would be fitting to someone who did so much for Maine Hockey. "I'M GATOR & I'M OUT."

As a lifelong UNH fan, I certainly directed my fair share of anger towards Coach Walsh. I married a girl from U. Maine last year, and since then, the UNH-Maine rivalry has become even more personal for me.

Last winter, we got tickets to the UNH game at Alfond (still don't know how we managed that), and the place was rocking. Coach Walsh was yelling at the refs, his players were cheap-shotting the UNH guys, and I got into a heated argument with an old lady over our rooting interests. And you know what? All was right with the world right at that moment. I just didn't realize it.

The thing I admire most about Shawn Walsh is that his teams were always good. Even if the Black Bears were playing .500 hockey, you still feared a Shawn Walsh team. I also admire the way he battled this despicable disease.

Coach, our prayers are with you, your wife and your three children...rest in peace. And thanks for making it fun to be a college hockey fan.

[Hockey Guru]

Having followed the Maine team since the 92-93 season and with my hockey playing kids watching the 42-1-2 video at least 400 times while driving in our hockey- mobile(conversion van)to many a hockey game or tournament we got to feel like we knew Shawn Walsh. Then through his association with Huron I got to meet him, spend time with him, talk with him and see how he is with the kids, and I found out that he truly is a wonderful,wonderful man. He will truly be missed. In thinking about him and trying to justify why he would be taken from us at such an early age and at this time in his life, the only thing I can think of is that God needed him. With the events of the last two weeks, with so many quailty hockey players taken from us, of course the first thing they did was put together a hockey team and they needed a coach. Who better then Shawn Walsh to bring an uplifting spirit and positive attitude. Whenever I saw him or was around him it was always positive and fun and that is how I will always remember him.

[Maine Pudge]

Agreed. Maine should definitely name something after Walsh. He was Maine hockey for 18 years.

[kellyd2727]

Thanks Maine Pudge! I would think that by week's end the University will do something to that effect. Coach Timmy Whitehead won't replace Walshy, BUT he'll give it a shot.

[Brock]

The greatest gift that Harold Alfond could give to Maine and all its faithful fans is to do a Ray Borque! Take the shirt off his back and rename the Alfond Arena the Walsh Arena located at the Alfond Complex at UMO.

Shawn was a friend and a great coach. Though he walked on the edge he singlehandedly with his leadership developed a program that all of the citizens of Maine and all of the Hockey community admired.

You loved Shawn or you didn't but everyone will miss him. I am proud to say that he was my friend and will cherish the memories.

42-1-2 Thanks Shawn, we will never forget you!

[kellyd2727]

Hockey Guru......WELL SAID! Couldn't have said it any better myself.

[Maine Pudge]

Nice post. There may be some truth to that. :)

[John C. Notermann]

Coach Walsh was a very vigorous competitor. In his last game he battled to the end. I really am going to miss watching his intensity on the bench. I hope he is safe with God now. I am sure that he is. Coach Walsh make sure you get the Lord's ear and have him protect our young men in harm's way. I think he needed your voice near him for the upcoming battles with terrorism. Help our leaders see the right way thru this difficult time. I know u will find a way for us to prevail.

I really enjoyed watching your vigor in Worschester this spring knowing how sick you must have been you never missed a beat on the bench.

My family's prayers are with you and your family.

[BauerStar]

Growing up with Hockey East, you understood the level of talent, the expectations of all the teams, and the willingness of the coaches to develop and win. Shawn Walsh was a great representative of Hockey East hockey. He was a demanding coach that demanded the disciple and respect of his players and the respect of the hockey world. He didn't act in words rather by the use of actions. Having worked several camps with Coach Walsh and playing with some of his current and past players, I have gotten the great opportunity to learn from Coach Walsh. I would like to thank him for what he did for college hockey, Hockey East, and players like me who competed against him! God Bless and we will miss you!

[Good Slur]

A sad time for all of hockey, not just college hockey.

[The Sicatoka]

Sincere condolences to Mr. Walsh's family and friends.



September 2001: A month to remember, ... a month to forget.

[JAM]

I attend UMaine from 88-93. During that time I had the pleasure of meeting Shawn on a couple of occasions when I baby sat for his kids. He was a great guy as well as a great coach. He always got the best from his players. Very rarely did you see a flat UMaine team.

For me there are a few UMaine hockey memories that stand out. One was the triple overtime win vs PC in the first round of the HE Tournament. The great overtime win vs UNH to win there second National Title. And finally their first title and the first National title for the school, I will never forget that game. I was on a Rugby road trip to URI, most of the team was in a bar watching the game all standing around one TV. When Jim scored the winning goal we went crazy, swinging the TV, dousing beer on each other. Needless to say we were escorted out of the establishment. We were all filled with so much pride.

Good Bye Shawn, you will be missed. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife and kids.

[UNH Ben]

Not that it is the same going to games now compared to when I was at UNH, now the Maine / UNH game somehow just on't be the same.

I got to interview Coach Walsh last January for a feature I wrote on Coach Umile. He def. showed how much a gentleman he really was.

However, as fun as it was to route against (and I'll miss that alot), everyone should realize that he was a father, husband and mentor too.

I'll miss him.

-Ben:(

[HockeyPuck01313]

I grew up in Orono, Maine and started playing youth hockey there.

I remeber the program before and after Coach Walsh.

The progarm got so much growth under Coach Walsh.

He created Maine Hockey.

It'll be uncomfortable to watch UM Hockey and not see him behind the bench.

God bless his family.