The University of Michigan – and particularly that school's hockey program – has been receiving a lot of attention for many months, thanks to the Wolverines' trio of Kent Johnson, Matthew Beniers and Owen Power. That school first came to my attention decades ago when I was reading about Gordon “Red” Berenson during the 1967-68 NHL season. He “arrived” that season – after the New York Rangers traded him and Barclay Plager to the St. Louis Blues for Ron Stewart and Ron Attwell. Berenson quickly established himself as the best player in the West Division, scoring 22 goals and adding 29 assists in 55 regular season games.
Reading about him way back then, I learned that Red was one of the very few players who came to the NHL after attending university. He attended the University of Michigan for three years, and during that time played for the Wolverines. Berenson earned his Bachelor of Business of Administration there, and a few years later added his MBA. The 1961-62 season was Red's third, last and best as a Wolverine. In 28 games – as the captain – he scored 43 goals and 27 assists, for 70 points. He was the WCHA's scoring champion and MVP.
Berenson's NHL career began immediately following the end of his collegiate career. He played 4 regular season games for the Montreal Canadiens in 1961-62, and was with them for five playoff games – scoring two goals. In 1962-63, he played 37 games for the Habs, and 30 games for their farm team, the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens. Red spent the entire 1963-64 season in Montreal. He played just 3 regular season games for the Canadiens in 1964-65 – and 65 games for their AHL team, the Quebec Aces. He dressed for nine of the Habs' 13 playoff games, and helped hoist the Stanley Cup. The 1965-66 season saw him bouncing between Montreal and Quebec City.
A trade to the New York Rangers following the 1965-66 season saw him dress for 30 games with the Blueshirts in 1966-67. Then – 19 games in to the 1967-68 season – the trade mentioned in the first paragraph occurred. In St. Louis, on the top line, with lots of powerplay minutes, Berenson was the Blues' offensive star and leader for three seasons. Each season seeing St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Final representing the West Division. Forty-five games in to his fourth season with the Blues, Red was traded with Tim Ecclestone to the Detroit Red Wings for Garry Unger and Wayne Connelly.
After playing parts of five seasons in Detroit, Berenson was traded back to the Blues, and finished his NHL career in St. Louis. The 1977-78 season was his last as a player, and the 1978-79 season found him behind the Blues' bench as an assistant coach. During the 1979-80 season, he became the head coach, and following the 1980-81 season he was named the NHL's best coach. Near the end of the 1981-82 season, he was fired.
Red Berenson was back at the University of Michigan – behind the bench of the Wolverines – for the 1984-85 season. He remained there for 33 seasons, finishing with 848 wins, 426 losses and 92 ties. He led the Wolverines to 36 NCAA tournaments.
Reading about him way back then, I learned that Red was one of the very few players who came to the NHL after attending university. He attended the University of Michigan for three years, and during that time played for the Wolverines. Berenson earned his Bachelor of Business of Administration there, and a few years later added his MBA. The 1961-62 season was Red's third, last and best as a Wolverine. In 28 games – as the captain – he scored 43 goals and 27 assists, for 70 points. He was the WCHA's scoring champion and MVP.
Berenson's NHL career began immediately following the end of his collegiate career. He played 4 regular season games for the Montreal Canadiens in 1961-62, and was with them for five playoff games – scoring two goals. In 1962-63, he played 37 games for the Habs, and 30 games for their farm team, the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens. Red spent the entire 1963-64 season in Montreal. He played just 3 regular season games for the Canadiens in 1964-65 – and 65 games for their AHL team, the Quebec Aces. He dressed for nine of the Habs' 13 playoff games, and helped hoist the Stanley Cup. The 1965-66 season saw him bouncing between Montreal and Quebec City.
A trade to the New York Rangers following the 1965-66 season saw him dress for 30 games with the Blueshirts in 1966-67. Then – 19 games in to the 1967-68 season – the trade mentioned in the first paragraph occurred. In St. Louis, on the top line, with lots of powerplay minutes, Berenson was the Blues' offensive star and leader for three seasons. Each season seeing St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Final representing the West Division. Forty-five games in to his fourth season with the Blues, Red was traded with Tim Ecclestone to the Detroit Red Wings for Garry Unger and Wayne Connelly.
After playing parts of five seasons in Detroit, Berenson was traded back to the Blues, and finished his NHL career in St. Louis. The 1977-78 season was his last as a player, and the 1978-79 season found him behind the Blues' bench as an assistant coach. During the 1979-80 season, he became the head coach, and following the 1980-81 season he was named the NHL's best coach. Near the end of the 1981-82 season, he was fired.
Red Berenson was back at the University of Michigan – behind the bench of the Wolverines – for the 1984-85 season. He remained there for 33 seasons, finishing with 848 wins, 426 losses and 92 ties. He led the Wolverines to 36 NCAA tournaments.
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