Hockey coach Walsh returns to Black Bear ice

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ORONO – University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh was recovering from his last grueling immunotherapy cycle at the California home of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn when the phone rang last Saturday night.

When he was handed the phone, he was serenaded by a version of The Stein Song sung by his team shortly after their impressive 8-2 victory over St. Lawrence in the Black Bear Hockey Classic.

“He was calling the coaches throughout [his immunotherapy]. He was a great inspiration to us so we returned the favor,” said sophomore center Marty Kariya.

Walsh said the song was a special moment for him.

“That was the best tonic I could have received. I was really appreciative. The first thing I said to the guys at practice Wednesday was “Thank you,” said Walsh, who will lead his Bears against invading Ohio State this weekend.

He looked surprisingly healthy during a Thursday press conference at the Dexter Lounge in the Alfond Arena. He may have been weakened by the immunotherapy but his upbeat demeanor overshadowed any lingering visible effects of the second and last 20-day treatment cycle designed to destroy his cancerous tumors under his breastplate.

“It’s so great to be back in Maine. Practice on Wednesday was invigorating,” said Walsh, who was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, in June.

“I feel good. I walked a mile in 16 minutes and 15 seconds yesterday and I’ve got to beat that time today,” said Walsh.

He said he wouldn’t know if the immunotherapy eliminated the tumors for another month.

“It has to have shrunk the tumors at least 50 percent in order to be considered successful,” said Walsh who will seek other treatment methods if the immunotherapy failed. “There are a lot of other new treatments out there, some have even been added over the last four months.”

He said there had been fluid buildup in his abdomen but the buildup stopped three weeks ago and he considers that to be a positive development.

He said isn’t going to worry about the prognosis. Instead, he is simply going to enjoy “my life, my family, the people at the University of Maine and the people here. I’ve gained a greater appreciation for people.”

He prefers not to look back on the immunotherapy. The side effects were downright nasty, especially the final two five-day dosages.

“The last two dosages were a lot harder than the first two,” said Walsh, explaining that the final dosage affected every organ in his body.

He endured his first 20-day cycle in late August, early September.

“It’s a tough thing to go through. It knocks you sideways. But if your family loves and supports you like mine did, you can get through it,” said Walsh.

Fatigue, nausea and dry skin are still present but Walsh said, “I get stronger and feel better every day.”

He has various medications but has been encouraged by his doctor to wean off the medications and is doing so.

The 45-year-old Maine coach said he has gained a much greater appreciation for life and for the people who have been so supportive of him throughout his ordeal.

“I feel blessed,” said Walsh. “I feel blessed for the job I have, for the success we’ve had and for the people who have been so wonderful to me.”

He thanked Russell and Hawn for putting him and his wife, Lynne, up at their home during his ordeal. Walsh met Russell a couple of years ago when Maine played for the national championship on the West Coast.

He said Boston University Coach Jack Parker has been the most frequent caller among the coaching fraternity.

“And I’ve gone against him the hardest,” said Walsh. “He has been a good friend throughout this. Jack has had some health problems of his own the last two years, so we share experiences.”

Walsh said he will have to monitor his schedule and his stress and even acknowledged that he will have a greater appreciation of the referees, all of whom have drawn the fiery coach’s ire at one time or another.

“Most of them have sent me cards,” said Walsh. “But I love to compete and I want us to win.”

Walsh said assistant coach Gene Reilly, who filled in as interim head coach, did a “wonderful job” as did assistants Grant Standbrook, E.J. McGuire and Matt Thomas.

“They kept things on the right track,” said Walsh. “We went 1-1-1 against two teams [North Dakota and St. Lawrence] who were picked to win their leagues. We played so well against North Dakota without anything to show for it.”

The players said they are glad to have him back.

“We missed his presence,” said junior winger Niko Dimitrakos. “When he talks, everybody listens. That’s not to take away from Gene. He did a great job with us.”

Junior goalie Mike Morrison said Walsh has an “aura about him” and said it was “amazing” how good he looked at practice Wednesday.

“His voice may have been a little weak but he still got his point across,” Kariya said.

Senior defenseman and co-captain A.J. Begg added that Walsh “has his own unique character. He’s an intense individual. He’s fired up. He’s excited to be back and that’s contagious.”

Sophomore defenseman Cliff Loya said just Walsh’s presence “will make us work harder because we know what he’s been through.”

Walsh has led Maine to two national championships, seven NCAA Frozen Four appearances and 10 NCAA Tournament berths in his 16 seasons. He has compiled a 379-203-37 record and ranks 24th all-time among college coaches in wins.

Reilly said it was business as usual with Walsh back at the helm.

“He has a lot of energy. It’s therapy for him,” said Reilly.