New men’s Huskies Hockey coach Brett Larson today described his job as a “dream come true” and called on students and faculty to support his players.
“I don’t know if the students realize how important they are to the energy in that building,” said Larson, who addressed a gathering in Atwood Memorial Center. “As a visiting team, if you go in and they’re not there — or they don’t bring that energy — it’s a different environment.”
Larson, who served last season as an assistant for the national champion University of Minnesota Bulldogs, cited junior Huskies forward Robby Jackson’s impact on fan engagement with two quick goals against Duluth.
“We’re going ‘Oh, boy, here we go again. The place is going crazy,’ ” said Larson. “Don’t forget that, yes, they’re college hockey players, but they’re kids, too.”
Larson said his dream opportunity includes coaching a team that was 25-9-6 last season, whose roster GPA was better than a B average, whose players are doing the right things in the community and are engaged on campus.
“As far as I can tell, this is one big family,” Larson said. “From the faculty, to the students, to the team — you guys are all in it together.”
Men’s hockey opens play this fall with a roster that could include as many as 13 upperclassmen, including first-team All-American Jimmy Schuldt, Minnetonka, returning points leader Robby Jackson, Alameda, California, and unanimous NCHC All-Rookie Team goalie Dávid Hrenák, Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia.
