The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 10, 2006 - 15
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SHAND
Continued from Page 14
"There is one large Michigan hockey family,"
Shand said. "I know that the term 'family' might
be lame, but there is no other way to describe it.
Every Michigan player fights hard to win for the
players that preceded him or her, that have made
Michigan a great athletic institution. I have kept in
touch with every player I played with and coached
for, and when you see them have success, you feel
like you are there with them."
Two examples that stick out in Shand's mind are
when Brendan Morreisonscored the game-w~inning
overtime goal to win the national championship for
Michigan in 1997 and ex-Michigan player Aaron Ward
holding up the Stanley Cup just a few of weeks ago.
"Brendan Morrison epitomized what being a
Michigan athlete is all about," Shand said. "I will
never forget that right after he scored the game-
winning goal, the first words to come out of his
mouth were, 'This is for all my teammates, coach-
es and most importantly those that have come
before me here at Michigan that have given me the
chance to compete and experience what it is like
to be a Michigan hockey player.'
"When it comes to Aaron Ward, I had tears in
my eyes when he held up that Stanley Cup. I felt
like I was right there with him because I taught
him how to play hockey at Michigan and some of
the skills he used to reach the pinnacle of hockey.
I realize I have nothing to do with the Carolina
Hurricanes (Ward's team) themselves. But due to
the fact that he once put on the Maize and Blue,
I feel like I accomplished something right along
with him."
When asked to summarize as best he could
what all of his Michigan experiences have meant
to him, whether it be the athletic success, being
a Michigan man or the lifetime relationships that
have been created, he replied simply: "Once a
Wolverine, always a Wolverine."
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