THN Archive: NCAA's MVP Goalie Almost Quit Hockey

THN Archive is an exclusive vault of 2,640 issues and more than 156,000 stories for subscribers, chronicling the complete history of The Hockey News from 1947 until today. Visit THN.com/archive and subscribe today at subscribe.thehockeynews.com. Today we will revisit a story by Dan Currier about the NCAA MVP goalie that almost quit hockey.

MADISON—Wisconsin goalie Marc Behrend was ready to toss his skates and mask into the closet.

Instead, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s top goalie is now sitting on top of the collegiate hockey world. Behrend led his “backdoor Badgers” into the NCAA final four and came away as the Most Valuable Player, leading Wisconsin to its third NCAA title.

Behrend held off Minnesota by making 30 saves as the Badgers beat the nation’s No. 1 team, 6-3 in the championship game at the Duluth Arena March 28.

The Badger icemen can be thankful that Behrend thought seriously about his future at the beginning of this season. At that time he was thinking of quitting hockey and school.

“After Roy Schultz was drafted by the Boston Bruins last summer, 1 thought I’d be in for the second goalie spot on the team,” said the sophomore, who attended Madison LaFollette High School. “I went to the Junior Olympics camp in Colorado Springs and I played well there. But in fall camp I didn’t do too well.

“I was mentally pressing myself and 1 was discouraged. 1 wasn’t concentrating. I didn’t go on the Northern Michigan trip and then they kept me on the JV squad. Plus, I wasn’t interested in school.”

Behrend told coach Bob Johnson he intended to quit.

“Marc came to fall camp as the fourth goalie on the team. He wasn’t playing much and he told me he wanted to leave the team,” said Johnson.

“I told him to sleep on it and see me the next day.”

Behrend talked to his family and friends. He realized that without a job, he would be putting himself into a do-nothing situation.

Thus, he made his decision to continue classes and concentrate on his studies. “I realized I had to get myself together as a person and not just as a hockey player,” he said.

Behrend said the decision was the biggest he ever made. He finally got his chance when he played one period against Yale and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

His first start came against Michigan in Madison.

“I was pretty excited about starting that game because it was played the day before my 20th birthday. I wanted to prove to the coaching staff that I could play,” recalled Behrend.

After Wisconsin’s other goalie, Terry Kleisinger, injured an ankle against North Dakota and Jamey Gemore walked out during the Minnesota game, Behrend claimed the No. 1 goalie spot. He was a key factor in the Badgers’ second-place finish in the WCHA with a 17-11 record and the NCAA national championship.

Behrend and Kleisinger finished No. 1 and 2 in the WCHA with the lowest goals-against averages of 3.18 and 3.25.

Behrend’s decision to stay made it possible for the Badgers to play in their sixth NCAA tournament in Johnson’s 14 years as coach.

Several weeks ago, it looked as if the season was over. The Badgers were upset by Colorado College, 13 goals to 12, in a two-game total goals series in the WCHA playoffs.

“After the Colorado College game, I felt relieved that the season was over and the pressure was off me,” said Behrend.

“But the next day, coach Johnson told us we had an outside chance for an at-large berth. I couldn’t believe it. The team was in a state of shock. I was surprised because after losing to Colorado College, I was bitter about the loss and didn’t think we had a chance to go. But the NCAA committee this year looked at our overall record and gave us the bid.”

Behrend was planning to take a trip to Florida and forget about hockey for awhile. He said that after the Colorado College game he needed some rest and relaxation. His vacation was delayed by a couple of weeks, but Behrend says the trip to the land of sunshine will be sweeter now.

Dan Currier, made his debut in 1981 for THE HOCKEY NEWS on May 1st.