Ex-Bears show support for Walsh

ORONO – The atmosphere was festive with an undercurrent of concern for the man who has led the University of Maine to 11 NCAA Tournament berths, seven Frozen Fours and two national championships in his 17 seasons behind the bench: coach Shawn Walsh, who is battling kidney cancer and couldn’t attend the annual Maine Hockey Alumni Weekend.

The crowd support at Sunday afternoon’s alumni hockey game was surprising considering it was the first day of July and the college hockey season ended three months ago.

In fact, the 2,078 who turned out were more than Providence College and Merrimack averaged at their home games this past season.

“Obviously, everybody who came back hoped to see Shawn. But he has to do what he has to in order to get better. This shows the support he has. Everybody is pulling for him. I talked to him on the phone from California last weekend and he sounded good,” said former Bear All-American Steve Kariya.

Veteran NHL defenseman and former Bear All-American Eric Weinrich, who was traded to Boston by Montreal this season, said, “This is the best turnout we’ve had. There were a lot of newcomers here. Everyone is here for one reason: Walshy.”

Peter Maher, who played one season for Walsh after playing for Jack Semler, said, “Every time you see a hockey game, it reminds you of Shawn so much. We’re all pulling for him.”

Walsh was released from the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md., Sunday and he said the host vs. graft battle which resulted in his 15-day hospitalization “has hopefully run its course.”

The host vs. graft involves his brother Kevin’s transplanted stem cells trying to destroy Shawn’s remaining cancer cells.

“I’m feeling good. I’m glad to be out of the hospital,” said Walsh, who will remain at Kevin Walsh’s home in nearby Annandale, Va., for at least a couple more weeks.

Doctors want to monitor his medications and fluid levels.

“Hopefully, I’ll be home in a few weeks,” said Walsh, who was touched by the player turnout and the fan support.

“I’m so gratified at all the guys who came back. I think we had close to 50 players and five or six more are coming back for the golf tournament [at Orono’s Penobscot Valley Country Club] Monday after attending Trevor Roenick’s wedding [in Erie, Pa.],” said Walsh. “For a young program to have over 50 return is phenomenal. This tells you what the university and our program has meant to each guy.”

He also thanked actor Kurt Russell for “coming back and spending the weekend with us.”

When Walsh underwent immunotherapy treatment in California, he and wife Lynne stayed at Russell and longtime mate Goldie Hawn’s house.

Maher and most of the returnees played in the Blue-White game, won by the White team 7-3. It was two 20-minute periods. Former Bear Hobey Baker Award winner Paul Kariya of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks had his jersey number nine retired during the intermission.

“My oxygen was running on low. Thank God we played two 20-minute periods instead of three periods. There is great support here. There were more here than some of our games in ’82-83,” joked Maher.

Former Bear winger Christian Lalonde, who graduated in 1990, flew in from California and ex-defenseman Tony Link, who graduated in 1992, returned from his native Anchorage, Alaska.

“It was surreal because I haven’t been back in so long,” said Lalonde. “I went to Pat’s [Pizza] and hung out. I checked out the rink. It has changed a little bit since I last played. Now I’m going to make sure I come back every few years.”

Link said, “Cal Ingraham plays for Idaho [in the Western Pro Hockey League] and comes up to Anchorage to play twice a year. He told me I had to come back. I’ve been trying to get back for six years. It’s great seeing all the guys again.”

The game itself was as wide open as alumni games tend to be and the ones still playing pro hockey or who recently retired were noticeable.

Vancouver Canucks farmhand Alfie Michaud, who guided the 1999 team to the national championship, was sharp between the pipes.

Ex-Montreal Canadiens minor leaguer Ben Guite, who is a free agent, scored a couple of goals as did Jean-Yves Roy, the former NHLer who played in Europe this past season.

Brendan Walsh, Mike McHugh, Chris Imes, Kent Salfi, Jim Leger and Chris Cambio also found the back of the net.