File photo by Patricia O’Blenes The 2007-08 season was special for Cranbrook-Kingswood hockey coach Andy Weidenbach. The coach guided his young Cranes to an MIHL title, a 21-7 record and a spot in the quarterfinals. On June 27, Weidenbach was voted National Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Even though his hockey team didn’t win a state championship this past season, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood boys hockey coach Andy Weidenbach called it his “best coaching job ever.”

And the National High School Athletic Coaches Association agreed.

On June 27 from Colorado Springs, the NHSACA named Weidenbach the 2007 National Coach of the Year in the Special Sports category for his longevity, outstanding accomplishments and service to the sport of hockey. The Special Sports category consists of more fringe sports, not, for example, basketball, football or baseball.

“It’s really such a great honor,” said Weidenbach, a Birmingham resident. “I was nominated by the local coaches association, the guys I compete against day in and day out, that’s what makes it so special.”

After being nominated by the coaches association in Michigan, Weidenbach was selected as one of the eight finalists by the NHSACA. He said he was surprised to even make the final cut, and actually winning the award never entered his mind.

“I wasn’t able to attend the meeting because of an engagement I had booked months ahead of time. So not being there, I figured I’d never have a shot,” Weidenbach said with a laugh.

“When I got the mail informing me that I had won, surprised is an understatement. I was completely overwhelmed.”

The 2007-08 season was special for Weidenbach and his Cranes.

After winning a Division 3 state championship in 2006-07 (the school’s third title in four years), Cranbrook entered this past season with a young team and low expectations.

All the Cranes did, however, was go 21-7, win the program’s first Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League title and advance to the state quarterfinals.

“This was a team that wasn’t supposed to win very many games,” Weidenbach said. “All we did, though, was win all our tournaments, win our league and almost make the semifinals.”

In his 14 seasons behind the Cranes’ bench, Weidenbach’s teams have won six state titles, have been runners-up twice and have captured 10 regional titles.
As if things couldn’t go any better for Weidenbach, he was recently hired by the Detroit Red Wings and worked as their skating coach at the team’s annual rookie camp July 7-12.

“What a great experience,” Weidenbach said. “These are all guys drafted by the Wings who have a future in professional hockey. They listen so well. It was a lot of fun to be a part of that.

“Things are going pretty well for me lately; I’ve had to pinch myself a few times. Even my golf game has looked better.”

You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.