Official Shawn Walsh Memory Thread

[Wilbur]

I'm in shock. All I can say is College Hockey, and the world,
lost a really great guy. My prayers are with his family, and the
entire Maine hockey community.

Thanks for the memories coach!!!!!

[sandiegoblkbr]

Coach Walsh will be missed by all Maine fans. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I know he'll always be a part of Maine Hockey.

[Wayuphere]

****.
Shawn, thank you for what you brought and did for the University and the state of Maine, and college hockey in general.
Our thoughts are with his family now.
Please realize all how much he motivated players and people and cherish the good times we have enjoyed during those long winters at the Alfond all these years.
My most vivid memories of Shawn on ice is when he was encouraging the crowd to rise and make noise to rally the team.
Of course his balancing acts on the boards when "chatting" with a pinhead were always classics.
****, too soon to really think back. I have to digest the news a little bit first.
dave

[Jon]

My dad summed it up perfectly. The man was a miracle worker who got the most out of his players.

I'm just remembering the way he went out this season. That Maine/PC game I taped from the Fleet has added signifigance.

RIP Walshy. You were one of the best.

[Murray]

My condolences to his family, Maine fans and hockey fans everywhere.

My favorite memory was in Providence when he got up on the dasher and was exhorting the Maine faithful. They roared. Today they weep.

[DavidB]

I think my best memory of Shawn Walsh had nothing to do with a hockey game that he coached. I was in St Paul with a bunch of friends to cheer on BU at the 1994 Frozen Four. We were sitting the lobby drinking a few beers when we noticed the coach by the elevators. My friend when up to him and offered him a beer and next thing you know he was over talking hockey with us for atleast a half hour or so. He told us he thought BU was going to win...boy was he wrong about that! :) He seemed like a very nice guy and he will be missed. Today is a sad day indeed.

[King]

My condolences to Coach Walsh's family, and to the UMaine hockey family.

I don't know if I have a particular favorite memory--altho I'm hoping a couple of the BU guys will share that 1993 Milwaukee Marriott story;)...

I guess my Coach Walsh memory is just the utter respect I had for the product he put on the ice year in and year out. What started out as "hatred" for all things Maine developed into a total respect and admiration for Shawn Walsh the coach and UMaine hockey the program...When the BU sked came out every year, the first thing I checked was when the Maine games were--not the BC ones...IMHO, BU's "maine" rival for the 14 years I've followed Terrier hockey--and no one will ever convince me differently...As Chris!!! said, the only team I feared as a BU fan; the Black Bears came to play EVERY single time they stepped onto the ice...And IMO, he flat out STOLE the national championship in 1999 with a very average team...And that's all because of the efforts of one man: Coach Walsh.

I never knew the man--and I'm not sure if I ever really wanted to. He was just fine where he was in my mind: the best coach in college hockey (and it wasn't even close). He never stopped coaching, no matter what the score, whether on ice or off. And he never stopped battling, right to the end...

Thanks for the memories, Coach Walsh: you will be missed.

[Downsy]

As a current college hockey player and opponent of Coach Walsh, all I can say is he was one of the classiest people I had ever met. My greatest memory of him was simply talking hockey with him. I remember talking to him after one game, a game that we tied with Maine, and he was more than happy to share his analysis of the game and how both teams did. This was after he had made his comeback from the original treatments. I remember I told him it was good to see him back behind the bench. I also remember debating whether or not I should have even approached him (he was the coach of the opposing team, after all). But today I am sure thankful I was able to have a conversation with him. He was a true gentleman and the worthiest of all opponents. So here's to you Coach Walsh, we'll see you when we get there, maybe we'll even play some shinny too.

[Adam]

The more I think about the past few weeks and their horrible events, I believe that one of my enduring memories of Coach Walsh was how he died. During this time of mourning throughout the nation for the tragedies in New York and in Washington, not to mention in Pennsylvania, Shawn chose not to make himself the story by asking that status reports of him and his condition not be released to the public. He didn't want anyone in the public fretting about his condition when he knew that their attention should be focused on the nation as a whole. He truly died with dignity. Though a flawed man, he was one that was big enough to admit his mistakes and accept the consequences.

I think that the most apt quotation I can come up with for this somber occasion is from the Ancient Latin Biographer Suetonius when he is describing the emperor Augustus' death scene. Augustus looks to his attendants and his family as they gather around his bed and he says to them:

"Have I played my part in the farce of life creditably enough? If I have pleased you, kindly signify appreciation with a warm goodbye."

[Pucknut]

As long as there is hockey at the University of Maine Coach Walsh's presence will be felt. As a loyal Maine fan I feel fortunate to have known him and shared in the success he brought to the program.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family.

It's a very sad time for the Maine hockey family.

[btb91]

I am writing this as I am choking back tears, but hopefully this will help.

I started going to college hockey games back in the fall of '87 during my freshman year of college. Growing up outside of Philadelphia college hockey was a new concept for me, and I was quickly won over by energy an excitement that was and is Maine Hockey, and college hockey in general.

My memories of Coach Walsh are long and many, and to single out one is very difficult. There was the game against Minnesota in January of '88 when #2 Maine defeated #1 Minnesota for our first ever #1 ranking. Walsh was as happy as anyone else in that arena, and it showed.

There was Walsh the teacher, who would always take the time to share his wisdom on the game, and never made you feel inferior with your knowledge, even though most anyone was. A consummate gentleman.

There was Walsh the motivator. The memories of Walsh are always those of him inciting the crowd, which he did quite well. Game after game, I would look over to the bench to look for celebration from Shawn during the game, and would rarely find it. More often than not, he was talking to the next line to go out on the ice, getting them ready, and motivating them. He almost always saved his celebrations for the end of the game.

What may stick out most for me is Walsh the Mainer. Like me, Shawn is not a native, but I doubt event the most steadfast DownEaster will challenge his Pine Tree State credentials. In the late 80's and early 90's successful coaches at Maine were jumping ship left and right for "greener pastures" and more money. At one time, there was a rumor that Walsh accepted a position at Denver, both as head hockey coach, and associate AD, and rumored a lot more money. Walsh stated that he was staying at Maine, and that Maine was home for he and his family. Through all of his success, and all of his adversity, and all of the opportunities to leave or walk away, Walsh stayed, and remained true to the Maine Hockey program, and the people of Maine. Like myself, Walsh is "from away", and like myself Maine was "home" in the truest sense of the word for Coach Walsh.

Shawn Walsh, with his energy and his ability, took a state university in a small town, in a very lonely corner of our great country, and built it into a hockey hotbed, and national powerhouse. I doubt anyone else could have ever done it at all, and certainly nobody could have done it any better.

You will always be missed, and you are in our hearts today, and forever. Thank you.

Steve

[REDMEN2002]

My condolences go out to Coach Walsh's family, his players and former players, and to his fans, who, I'm sure, will miss him dearly. Well, at least Coach Walsh went out in style in Worcester, showing his fiery attitude and desire to win.

[Jenna]

I have to say, this is very huge loss for Maine Hockey and hockey fans everywhere. May the Coach rest in peace. His legend will live on..

I have met him many times over the years. He was truly a incrediable person. Everyone remembers his rants and raves on the ice, but at the Frozen Four in Providence. I saw him playing with his kids in the Hotel lobby. Not many of us see his tender side that often. But I have to say he was a loving dad and showed it.

God Bless his children and his family. May the always remember the happy times

[Scott]

I heard the news after arriving home from work. I'm shocked and saddened, to say the least. The man was the epitome of Maine college hockey, and love him or hate him, no one can deny the success he brought to the Maine program and the overwhelming enthusiasm he instilled in Maine fans everywhere.

May God be with his family during this very trying time. We're going to miss you, Coach.:(

[J]

My condolences to Walsh's three sons who will have to grow up without their father. I doubt this world needs great hockey coaches as much as it needs good fathers.

[UNOMav]

My condolences to Coach Walsh's family and anyone associated with UMaine hockey. I don't have any personal memories of Coach, but I know that the UNO hockey program and its fans will forever appreciate and be thankful to him for playing a "baby" hockey program, both on the road and at home. Back then most big-time programs, like UMaine, wouldn't play UNO, especially in Omaha. Part of where UNO is currently came as a result of Coach Walsh.

Rest In Peace. :(

[bradyszott]

Heck of a job down here, keep the shifts short up there, and don't argue with the officials!

[kellyd2727]

OH MY GOD! This IS a shock! Just came out to see what's up here on the board, and I read the news. First and foremost, my deepest condolences to to Mrs. Walsh and Sons and also the Walsh Family, along with the ENTIRE UMaine Community. I have many the memories of Walshy's Visits to the Forum and Tsongas and the "Walshy Walshy...YOU SUCK" chants we'd taunt him with. He was always a class act to us Lowell Fans and we will miss him deeply. RIP Walshy & Give 'Em Hell!

[FSULaw2k4]

My condolences go out to everyone personally affected by the loss of Coach Walsh. I'll never forget the weekend in 1998 at the Whittemore Center when Maine played UNH back-to-back nights with the Hockey East title on the line. Even with the fact that we were the opposing fans, Coach Walsh still stopped to talk to a bunch of our fellow UNH students about the upcoming game.

[AfroMan]

****. The world just lost a good guy. Say what you will about him...bottom line he was and will always be a good guy. Big Ups for Walshy!!