34.0°F  Website Login | Bloomfield HillsMay 13, 2009The Hall's newest member
By Mike Moore
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Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Cranbrook hockey coach Andy Weidenbach celebrates a Division 3 state title March 14. It was his seventh state title since arriving at Cranbrook in 1993. Weidenbach was recently inducted to the MHSHCA Hall of Fame. |
Cranbrook’s Andy Weidenbach inducted into MHSHCA Hall of Fame
By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Peter Rowe takes no credit when the subject is brought up.
“All I did was throw his name in the hat,” he said with a laugh, before interrupting himself to compliment the man being talked about.
Rowe probably isn’t someone too many people within the Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood boys hockey program are familiar with. But without him, the storied history of Cranbrook hockey may have never been.
It was the spring of 1993 when Rowe had a seemingly innocent conversation with his good friend, Mike Howell, Cranbrook’s athletic director at the time. The Cranes were in the midst of searching for a new hockey coach, and Howell had narrowed the field to the final four prospects.
“Andy Weidenbach had coached my son before, and I knew what a great mind he had for the game,” said Rowe, an Oakland Township resident. “I gave Mike his name and told him he should really consider talking to (Weidenbach).”
Within a few weeks, Weidenbach was hired, and the brilliance of Cranbrook hockey was soon to follow.
‘I was so honored and humbled’
“I owe him a lot,” Weidenbach said referring to Rowe, whom he still considers a great friend. “Without him introducing me to the Cranbrook opening, who knows where I am or what I’m doing right now.”
Some 16 years later, however, Weidenbach is in the same place and doing the same thing — leading one of the state’s most revered high school programs. And now, with seven state titles and countless other accolades to his name, he’s officially a member of the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.
“The Hall of Fame isn’t made up of too many youngsters,” Weidenbach joked of his March 22 induction. “This must mean I’m getting old, if nothing else.”
As he has with the state titles, coach of the year awards or various other honors, Weidenbach did his best to remain modest about his recent induction while also respecting the honor.
“To be honest, I didn’t see this coming,” he said of his induction into the Hall of Fame. “I know my name had been mentioned in the past, but I never really thought about it too much. … I was so honored and humbled when I found out, though. The guys that nominate me and vote as to whether or not I make it are the same guys I coach and compete against every night. That’s really what makes this so special.”
“You look at his career and everything he’s done for junior hockey and high school hockey, and this was long overdue,” said Dan Berry, the president of the MHSHCA and the coach at Warren De La Salle. “He could have been one of the first guys inducted. He’s certainly earned this.”
Well-deserved recognition
Weidenbach’s successes have been numerous, to say the least.
On March 13, in a 1-0 defeat of Flint Powers Catholic in the Division 3 semifinal, he earned his 300th coaching victory at the school. The next afternoon, he earned his seventh state title.
In his 16 years with the Cranbrook program, he’s amassed a record of 301-120-28 while laying claim to 13 regional titles and one Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League crown. As the president of the MIHL, Weidenbach was also instrumental in the founding and subsequent growth of the elite league.
At the same time, his hockey legacy is in no way tied to the blue and green.
He has coached since 1976, holding jobs in youth travel hockey, junior hockey, the Ontario Hockey League and everywhere in between. In the summer of 2008, he was hired as the skating coach for the Detroit Red Wings’ rookie camp, a job he’ll do again following the 2009 NHL draft.
Berry also credited Weidenbach for the resurrection the MHSHCA during his time as president years ago.
“He helped build the association to what it is now,” Berry explained.
Loves what he does
Ask Weidenbach what drives him, and the answer is quick and succinct — he loves what he does.
“I’ve always loved coaching,” he said. “I’ve also been real fortunate to be part of a great program here.”
And for all he’s won, what’s interesting about his style is that winning is the last thing he focuses on.
Ask him before a season begins what the team’s goals are, and a state title or a league championship is not the answer. Instead, he talks about minor details, like penalty killing or getting a certain amount of shots on goal.
“When you do the little things well and pay attention to even the smallest details, the big things find a way to take care of themselves,” Weidenbach said. “We never start a season focused on a state title, and I’ve never coached with a style of winning at all costs; I’ve never aspired to be like that.
“My goal has always been focused on one day to the next. From my time in travel hockey to the OHL to now, I’m not someone to focus on the next step. I like putting everything I have into what’s happening right now.”
And right now he’s being recognized for every successful step he’s taken — a success helped along by one seemingly innocent conversation between Rowe and Howell.
Maybe it’s time Rowe takes some credit.
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