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March 28, 2010 If you’re a sports fan, you’ve seen the movie Rudy. And chances are if you’re reading this column, you hate Notre Dame because you’re either a Michigan or Michigan State fan. I’ve always thought the movie was dumb, but that’s of course only because of my lifelong loyalty to UM. Rudy’s was an inspirational story of a kid whose dream was to play Notre Dame football. The only problem: he was a 5’6”, 165 pound defensive lineman. Needless to say, he didn’t get to see the field much. He finally was granted the opportunity in his last home game at ND, and came up with a sack on the last of two plays in his Notre Dame career. (If you’re not familiar with his story, you can read more here). But in the last month, Michigan has found its own Rudy, as Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson pointed out in a post-game press conference just a few weeks ago. Oh, and this Rudy actually has accomplished something! You may be more familiar with his brother Matt Hunwick, a former Michigan hockey player and now a Boston Bruin. His storied Michigan career has dwarfed his brothers (sorry, pun intended). Michigan’s Rudy is named Shawn Hunwick. He’s only one inch taller than Rudy Ruettiger, and he’s listed at two pounds lighter. (From personal experience, I doubt very much that he’s even that big). Hunwick is now the starting goalie for the Michigan Wolverines, in a life and season story that has included many twists and turns. First, he almost didn’t go to Michigan. He was considering breaking the family bond with Michigan hockey and instead walking into the starting position on Albion’s hockey team. Instead, without hesitating he took the tougher road, and decided to walk-on at Michigan. He was rewarded with playing only enough to collect two saves in his first two years on campus, sitting behind Bryan Hogan and Billy Sauer. As year three rolled around, Sauer was gone, but Hogan, (a junior along with Hunwick) was firmly entrenched as the starter. Even the thought of playing Hunwick was enough to send chills up any Michigan hockey fan’s spine. In a school year, and heck, last three years that has included so much pain for Michigan fans, the 09-10 Michigan hockey squad looked like yet another disappointment. They were picked to win the CCHA by the media. Preseason, they were a nationally ranked top 5 team, and heading into the last week of the regular season a month ago, they had no hopes of securing an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, only a CCHA tournament championship would do. If Michigan failed to secure the automatic bid a championship would bring, it would be the first time in 20 years they had failed to make the tournament. Combined with the 38 straight bowl streak ending, witnessing the worst season in Michigan football history (2008) and the worst season in Michigan basketball history (2007-2008), Michigan fans had no reason to expect a turnaround. But they got one of giant proportions. In that least regular season series, Michigan’s starting goaltender, Bryan Hogan, tore a groin muscle. As he was carted off, I turned to my co-producer Peter Saul, and said “when it rains, it pours.” What else could go wrong for Michigan sports?!? The answer was apparently nothing. Despite his small stature, Hunwick has compiled a 7-1 record since that time, had a save percentage of .916 (better than Hogan’s) and posted a 1.97 GAA (also an improvement). Two weeks ago, he led his team to a sweep of a three game series against Michigan State in East Lansing. A week ago, he stood on his head as Michigan beat both the current #1 team in the nation Miami (OH) and #9 Northern Michigan to win Michigan a NCAA tournament bid, and a CCHA tournament championship. All the success has barely even affected the humble Hunwick. At the post game press conference, when asked what he thought of the chants directed at him of “M-V-P” from the student section, he said, “It really takes away from the team. I think it’s a distraction.” During the on ice celebration, amidst all the glee, there was only one voice I heard distinctly. It was Hunwick’s repeated plea, “Get the trophy to Hogie (the injured Bryan Hogan)! Get it to Hogie!” I’ve seen a lot of sports the last few years, covering both Novi High School and University of Michigan sports teams. The teams I’ve covered at UM have not been fun to watch, post-game football press conferences have been excruciating, for me but more so for Rich Rodriguez. I’m asked all the time if it ever wears on me, if I ever just want to quit with all the losing and turmoil and frustration. Previously I’ve said that I always just held out hope that things would eventually change, and I’d just appreciate it more then. Now, I can answer with a much more abbreviated reply: I do it to see the Shawn Hunwicks. (c) 2010 Novi
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