USA Hockey Magazine

38 // SEPTEMBER 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS COURTESY OF John Bacon We started the 2000-01 season by winning our first three games, equaling Huron's win total from the previous two seasons com- bined. But then we had to face Trenton, the best team in the state. The year before Trenton featured Andy Greene, who would go on to captain the New Jersey Devils and still plays for the New York Islanders. The Trojans had already claimed eight state titles, and they would win six more. USAToday once proclaimed Trenton the nation's best high school hockey team. Trenton's teams at all age levels had already hung so many state title banners from their rafters that when we played in their rink I always told my players, "Don't look up." It never worked. Trenton smoked us, 13-2. That's right: 13-2. Back in the locker room our guys were throwing their sticks and gloves around—angry, hurt, embarrassed. I put all of it to an immediate halt. "Sit down!" I said. "Hey, I saw what you saw. Can't sugarcoat it. We just got our asses handed to us on a silver platter." They nodded, a little surprised I was taking this approach. "But that doesn't matter. What matters is our principles. What's the first rule of Huron Hockey?!?" "Work hard," a few mumbled. "WHAT'S THE FIRST RULE OF HURON HOCKEY!" I yelled. "WORK HARD!" they yelled back. "Well? Did you guys work hard tonight?" They thought about it, then concluded, Yes, actually, they had. "That's right! Everyone here worked their tails off the entire game. No exceptions! Now, what's the second rule of Huron Hockey?" "Support your teammates!" they yelled, loud from the start. "Now, did we do that?" Yes, they said. Nobody pointed fingers, and everyone supported each other. "That's right." I said. "Now that is impressive! Listen to me: Gentlemen, if we can do that tonight, we can do that every night. I promise you, we're going to turn this around. And let me tell you something else: We're going to play those bastards again, and it sure as hell ain't gonna be 13-to-2!" They cheered. They believed. * * * We finished our first season at 7-17-1, the most improved team in school history. The coaches could rely on the team leaders to decide what we were going to wear in school on game days to handling disciplinary situ- ations to setting team goals. (Don't worry: they'll always set the bar higher than you would—always.) The next year we took our 16-8-2 record, second best in school history, into the regional final against—you guessed it—the mighty Trenton Trojans. I needed help, so I called Herb Brooks, the legendary 1980 Olympic coach. I had interviewed Herb for several stories over the years, and we were talking about writing a book. But this call was about the River Rats facing the Trenton juggernaut. I will never forget his response: "Johnny, just tell 'em this: Above all, you gotta believe. If you don't, nothing is possible. But if you do, anything is possible." At our team dinner the night I passed on Herb's message. Then I added, "I admit, I'm scared. But not for you guys. You guys are a run- away freight train, a team that went from zero wins to 16 in two years. I know how hard you work, how close you are, and how you lead your team. I see you coming, but they don't. I'm not worried for you. I'm worried for them. They're about to get steamrolled—and they won't know what hit 'em. "I don't think we're going to beat Trenton. I know we are. And you do, too." They did. L ESSO N S I N L EA D E R S H I P I know how hard you work, how close you are, and how you lead your team. I see you coming, but they don't. I'm not worried for you. I'm worried for them."

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