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The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 7, 2006 - 15

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Ten years is a long time,
even for the ormer champs
heir passes weren't as sharp and harder to do the things that were, at one (Legg is a fireman; Chris Fox, a neuro-
their shots weren't as precise, but time, so simple. surgeon).
one thing remained crystal clear Ten years ago, the same 18 guys skat- Think about it: In 1996, you're kings 5
after 10 years: They were still champions. ing at Yost on Friday night could've of college hockey, enjoying college life M
On Friday night, during the annual probably finished each other's sentences. to the fullest without a care in the world.
Michigan Summer They not only knew where Now you're just another civilian, working
Hockey Showcase, the everyone was on the ice at 9-5 and coming home to a wife and kids.
1996 NCAA Champi- one time, they knew where It's not a bad thing; it's just different
ons were honored in the everyone on the ice would be. If there was one thing apparent at the
under-35 alumni game by During that season, the team Michigan Summer Hockey Showcase, it's
being grouped together scored a combined 242 goals. that elite athleticism doesn't last forever,
as a team to play against To put that in perspective, last but the passion for the game will always
the rest of the under-35s. season's squad scored just 147. burn. The '96 team may not have looked
It was the first time Wol- But 10 years is a long time, like the same team that won a national
verine fans saw the team long enough for everyone to go championship (for one, I'm sure Marty
,play as a group since that H. JOSE their separate ways - even if Turco didn't have his children waiting for
magical year, and soon BOSCH they won a national champion- him after he lifted up the national cham- -
after the opening face-off ship together. pionship trophy), but you could tell these
it was apparent what 10 The Bosch "It was a blood, sweat and guys still enjoyed the game.
years did to a team that Watch tears thing" said Legg of the '96 As I waited to speak with Legg, I
was once the nation's best. season. "(But) you grow apart noticed he remained on the ice until
"We were all sucking wind after and it's sort of disappointing in that way. everyone left, even Turco, who was play-
about the second shift,' said Mike Legg, You're used to living with these guys. It's ing with his children. During his inter-
who scored the most famous goal in sad. We'd all like to live together again, but view, I found out that it was a practice of
Wolverine history against Minnesota I guess with life and marriage and family, his to always be the last man off the ice
during the semi-finals in '96. "The lungs everybody grows apart, and you have to after every game at Yost.
were burning." continue on your own path." Even after 10 years, some things
And so was the back of the net ... the That path may continue to be domi- never change.
'96 alumni's net. The rest of the Under- nated by sticks, skates and pucks (1996 Especially the title of 1996 NCAA
35 group (the Blue team in this game) Hobey Baker Award winner Brendan Champions.
trumped the former champions 10-1. A Morrison is still a forward for the Van-
10-year break from playing together will couver Cunucks), but for most, life after - Bosch can be reached at DAVID TUMAN/Dai
do that to a team. It'll make it that much college hockey is just life after hockey hectobos@umich.edu Mike Legg was back In Yost Ice Arena on Friday along with his other '96 teammates
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