College Hockey Pioneer Berenson Gets Well-Deserved Induction into US Hockey HOF
12/13/2018 12:15:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Standing at the podium in Nashville, Tennessee, during the 2018 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a humble Red Berenson reflected on his path from a Canadian boy arriving at Michigan as a freshman to an NHL playing and coaching career, and then to his return to Michigan.
In typical Berenson fashion, it was not about the personal accomplishments or accolades, but the journey and the people along the way.
The journey began when Berenson arrived on Michigan's campus as a freshman in the fall of 1958. He was taking the road less traveled in trying to make it to the NHL while going the college route. No player at that time had ever gone straight from NCAA hockey to the NHL.
"Al Renfrew (former Michigan head coach from 1957-73) convinced me that this was a great route to go for a young player, no matter how good you think you are," said Berenson. "Getting an education and having something to fall back on. It changed my life."
Berenson could have turned pro, but decided going to college and earning a degree while playing hockey was the right move.
"When I got to Michigan as a student-athlete, I had to break down quite a few barriers just to get there. Montreal was pressuring me to sign and did everything to discourage me to go to school," Berenson said. "They didn't like idea of me playing collegiately and didn't think I would ever get a chance to play in the NHL if I went that route. First, they said I would never be a pro if I went to school, then they said I'll never be an NHLer and then the next year they said I'll never make a living in the NHL if I go to school."
Red proved them wrong.
Not only did Berenson excel at Michigan, scoring 70 points (43 goals, 27 assists) in his senior season -- which remains a school record -- he also made his NHL debut immediately after his senior season which ended at the 1962 Frozen Four.
"Kenny Reardon, the Canadiens' vice president was great. He appreciated what I was doing by going to school and going against the grain," Berenson said. "He was the first one to be there at the Frozen Four in 1962 and he drove me over to Boston after the game and the next night, I'm playing for the Canadiens in Boston. I felt good. I felt like I was doing it my way and I was doing it the right way. I was graduating from Michigan at the same time."
With a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in hand, Berenson was not finished with his academics. Days after winning a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1965, Berenson was back in the classroom in Ann Arbor to pursue an MBA from the Ross Business School, which he completed in 1966.
Once his playing days were over -- 17 seasons, 987 games, 658 points (261 goals, 297 assists), to be exact -- it was Berenson's turn to be a teacher of the game. Berenson first got into coaching in the professional ranks, where he was awarded the Jack Adams Award for best coach in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues during the 1980-81 season, in what turned out to be his lone full season as an NHL coach.
After serving as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres under legendary head coach Scotty Bowman, Berenson made his triumphant return to Ann Arbor and was named the eighth head coach in University of Michigan hockey history.
Over Berenson's 33 seasons as Michigan head coach, the Wolverines won 848 games, made 22 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and captured two national championships. But the achievements on the ice were not what mattered most to Berenson.
"The things you learn from Coach right away is there is always a passion to improve you," said Jason Botterill, Buffalo Sabres general manager and member of the 1996 national championship team. "He always helped you with your slap shot on the ice, but there was always a passion to help you off the ice, too, and making sure you were doing everything in the community and with your education."
Berenson helped produce 75 NHL players, numerous Stanley Cup champions, professional and collegiate coaches, scouts and front office executives. But for those alumni who stayed in hockey, the ones who found careers outside of hockey are those of whom Berenson is also proud.
"If you do have a conversation with Coach, he'll be very proud to talk about the names like Turco, Morrison and Cogliano," said Botterill. "But, he'll also talk a lot about the doctors, lawyers, teachers and firefighters that he has also developed at Michigan."
"Red is more than just the University of Michigan" said Michigan head coach Mel Pearson. "I think his legacy is the people he touched, what he's left and what he has built here. He is really one of the true pioneers of not only college hockey, but all of hockey."
Berenson's journey began in Saskatchewan. It made two stops in Ann Arbor and countless NHL cities along the way. But it was Nashville where the journey of the man known simply as "Red" was celebrated for being a pioneer of college hockey and setting the path for so many.
Red Berenson completed 33 seasons as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, retiring following the 2016-17 season. His teams made the NCAA national tournament 23 times in 27 years, including an NCAA record 22 consecutive years from 1991-2012. Playoff success included 11 trips to the Frozen Four championship, three trips to the national title game and NCAA championships in 1996 and 1998. Overall, in 1366 games under Berenson's guidance, Michigan went 848-426-92 (.655), ranking Berenson fourth all-time in college hockey wins.
