WMU Hockey Coach Pat Ferschweiler on the National Championship

This morning we spoke with WMU Head Hockey Coach Pat Ferschweiler as the Western Michigan Broncos celebrate their National Championship. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, friends, as a follow up, and man, you've been
seeing the celebration play out since this weekend. But what
a season one for the Ages. Western Michigan University Hockey
now National Championships champions. Their coach Pat Firschweiler back on
the liveline, Coach, thank you and congratulations.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Well, thank you. I'm excited to be back on because
it means good things happened, Coach.

Speaker 3 (00:24):
I just came back for Orlando and spring break, as
you know, and I'm wondering if you're going to Disney World, right,
I mean that's the next.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Stop, right, that's such a great line. We're hoping to
get a little break here shortly, but you know we're
going to celebrate this with the team b in the
moment for a while here, and then obviously we've got
to go forward. I mean, college sports never stops. You
gotta make next year's team, figure out who's going to sign,
who's gonna move on through those things, and then start

(00:53):
building again. Coach.

Speaker 3 (00:54):
Before talking about this team, and I got a chance
to watch pieces of both games, most of the the
championship game, but just what you witnessed last night, what
you witnessed in Saint Louis where Bronco Nation showed up.
I mean they just took over the building, especially on
Saturday night. And I flew into Saint Louis on our
way back and I even saw a Bronco people in
the airport. I mean, how does that feeling? What does

(01:18):
that mean to you and the kids in your program?

Speaker 2 (01:20):
Well, honestly means everything. Are The support we received in
the community from the university just drives our players forward.
And you mentioned the presence in Saint Louis. I mean
literally that was a home game for the Broncos. In
the National Championship game, we had to have three fourths
of that building and you could field on the ice
and certainly you know the players can field as well,

(01:42):
and like I said, it gives us a huge advantage
in our games.

Speaker 3 (01:45):
I loved the makeup of your roster. I want you
to talk about a couple of guys. Owen Michaels two
goals in the semi finals, What a thrilling win over
the defending champs Denver in double overtime. He was the
most outstanding player of the tournament, but there were so
many guys that stepped up. Tim wash You, by the way,
just signed with Anaheim. I know you love that kid.
And then Hampton Slakinski. I mean this with all due respect, coach.

(02:05):
I saw him do an interview. I thought he was
a cross country runner. I mean, the kid's unbelievable. We
you don't see him without his pads on, but he's
so flexible, so good. Unbelievable.

Speaker 2 (02:16):
Boy. You nailed three guys that had world class performances,
not only in the tournament but all year long. Obviously,
Owen Michaels is our future captain and and just a
gritty winner who has enough skill. You have eighteen goals
at four goals in the final in the Frozen four.
Tim Washing, he's been our leader all year. Obviously you
can know the quality he is. He signs to the
Anaheimy He's gonna play tonight for the Anaheim Ducks. Wow.

(02:38):
So short, little celebration for Tim Washington, right back at it.
But and then you know hampsu Kinsky's you know, a
freshman goaltender who just put in the biggest stage. And
I said all year long, the reason Hampton's grade is
he's calm. There's never a moment too big for him.
And I think that was proven true all your along,

(03:00):
but especially in the Frozen four.

Speaker 3 (03:01):
And finally, I didn't want to forget this guy because
he was named First team All America deservedly so. And
I loved coaches creativity and his shot making and this
guy fires shots. You know what I'm talking about, Alex.

Speaker 2 (03:11):
Bomb Oh, Alex Moose, the college hockey superstar, and I'm
sure you know he's gonna have a chance here shortly
to play in the National Hockey League as well. And
he's just our best player. He's competitive, he's creative, hockey
aqu is off the chart. He just says a real,
real way to make people miss and it's fun to watch.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
And his coach of the Year bringing home the national
championship to Western Michigan University for the first time. Pat Firschweiler,
thank you for your time today.

Speaker 2 (03:39):
Thanks having on guys,