Sad news

[MAPGOPHER2]

:( Awful news. My heartfelt condolences to Coach Walsh's immediate family and extended hockey family, which includes all of us. It seemed as though he had a real chance so this came as a horrible shock in a month with more than enough of those. I'll have a tear in my eye for Coach Walsh at the next Gopher-Black Bear game, whenever it happens.

[Sioux Guy]

Terribly sad news. Condolences to the Walsh family, the Maine hockey program, and college hockey as a whole. :( :( :(

[go4hockeyaddict]

I was very stunned to hear about Coach Walsh. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to Maine hockey. :(

[Eric Hybert]

I never knew the man, but it seems to me that he was the type that would rather you celebrate his life than mourn his death. Perhaps that's why his focus was family and hockey to the very end while so few people knew just how close he was to the finish line! We can all rest assurred that a man so caring and unselfish is headed to a place far better than this one!

Wisconsin Hockey: Celebrate Life!!!

[Spiney Norman]

As an '82 Maine graduate living in Massachusetts I caught nearly every game I could down in the Boston area. Coach Walsh was a master leader whose intensity was second to none. I always marveled at his fighting spirit and, after learning of his battle with a very life threatening cancer, I thought that if I had to bet on any man that could beat it than it would surely be coach. The University of Maine community will miss him greatly. My condolences to his family, friends, and former players who surely mourn the loss of a man whose spirit lives on in the hearts of many. Thank you and God bless you, Shawn Walsh, for all that you did for the Maine players and fans.

[edadtl]

I also send my condolences to the entire Walsh family and UMaine family. We will miss the competitive fire Coach Walsh brought to every game. I always watched Coach Walsh looking for clues as to how I could become a better Coach and leader. He was loved by his teams and fans, and admired by his opposition. This is a sad time for the family, for UMaine, and all of college hockey.

[BGSU Fan]

I was so sorry to hear about the death of Shawn Walsh. I send my condolences to his friends and family. I knew Shawn when he was a graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University. He was a very nice and knowledgeable person. This world was a better place for all who knew Shawn. He will be greatly missed. To the present hockey athletes at Maine - dedicate this season to the memory of your coach. You have my prayers as you find the strength to go on with your new coach. Shawn would have wanted you to do this.

[njbble]

I attended college at BGSU with Shawn. He was the third string goalie behind Mike Liut (who went on to have a very successful career in the NHL) and Al Sarachman. I worked in the sports information office with hockey coverage as my primary responsibility. Because Shawn did not dress for games, he spent most of game time in the press box next to me. You could tell even then that Shawn was a very driven individual who would succeed in life. He didn't haven't the talent of Liut or Sarachman but that did not stop him from working as hard as he could to stay in shape and be ready if either goalies went down with injuries. In four years (all three were in the same class), he only played part of a couple of games but his love for hockey and his drive never wavered. I believe the people of Maine saw that drive. My prayers go to all you Maine fans and to the Walsh family. Anyone having come in contact with Shawn had to be impressed by him. He would have settled for nothing less.

[Fan in Florida]

njbble,
I am a BG fan who wasn't around BG in the years that Shawn Walsh was there. Thanks for sharing your memories of him. My prayers are also with his family, his wife and sons, and the Maine team who must be in a real state of shock right now. Much like the shock the BG fans and team felt when our assistant coach, Terry Flannigan, died from a brain tumor some years ago. I have a feeling that Maine will be on a mission this year. BG will be participating in the Ice Breaker in October. I'm sure it will be kind of a tough weekend for all involved.

[BlackBearBobby]

http://www.portland.com/sports/college/hockey/010927umwalsh.shtml