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Date: | Sun, 4 Nov 90 19:34:34 EST |
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Just a quick message for those of you who may not have
heard.
The college hockey world lost one of its true class human beings
Friday night when New Hampshire head coach Bob Kullen died
unexpectedly. Kullen, who underwent a heart transplant operation
in 1987 after developing a rare heart disease, had spent the last
few years building up the UNH program to a point where it was
again able to compete with the top teams in the country, going so
far in March as to shock Providence in the Hockey East quarterfinals
and come within a minute of upsetting Boston College in the semis.
The Eagles got the game-winner in OT and went on to win Hockey
East and finish third in the NCAAs. Kullen was named 1990 New
England Division I Coach of the Year for his efforts as his team
went 17-17-5.
He had been forced to relinquish his duties to associate Dick
Umile while regaining his strength after his medication was
altered, but everyone expected he would be able to return at
some time this season. That's why this came as such a shock.
Apparently Kullen was out for his daily walk with former UNH
head coach Charlie Holt when he suddenly found it difficult to
breathe. He was rushed to the hospital and passed away. A
moment of silence was held at Merrimack prior to Saturday's
game and the same was most likely done at many other rinks.
The funeral will be Tuesday.
Everything I have heard about Kullen points to the fact that he
was a man who cared deeply about his players and their development
as human beings first and hockey players second. UNH, Hockey
East and U.S. college hockey have lost a great man. As channel
4's Bob Neumeier said to close his tribute to Kullen, "Goodbye, sweet
prince." He will be missed.
- mike
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