Bobcat coach takes ice for U-M Flint

By Mike Selecky
Posted Thursday, August 7, 2008

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By Michael Selecky
VIEW Sports Writer

FLINT — While hockey is a physical game, it hasn’t scared away many, as witnessed by the fact that the newly formed hockey club at the University of Michigan-Flint recently completed its inaugural season with a roster of 26 die-hard athletes.

On a squad that focuses on getting an overall team effort as opposed to following the superstar mentality, one of these silent warriors who faced all the trials and tribulations that come about in a program’s infancy is Grand Blanc resident and Grand Blanc High varsity hockey coach Mike Schunot.

“Mike was one of the foundations to build the program on. He knows the effort that is required to establish something from scratch. He’s a teacher, a coach, a parent, a teammate,” said head coach Bob Golling. “I was able to put Mike on the ice in almost any situation and he’d respond accordingly. He accepted any role assigned to him. We have high expectations next season for him.”

Schunot, who’s currently pursuing his graduate studies at U-M Flint, stands in at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, plays the forward position and shoots from the right. Last season he played in 24 of his team’s 26 scheduled contests, amassing 19 points on seven goals and 12 assists. He also notched a total of 24 penalty minutes.

“Michael has a number of strengths. First, he plays the game in the same manner as he coaches, with great enthusiasm. Second, he shows great leadership on and off the ice by the example he sets,” Golling said. “Third is his work ethic. He was usually the last one off the ice after practice, doing skating drills on his own. Fourth, was his support of the program. In doing so, he showed his respect for and knowledge of the game.”

In 2007-08, U-M Flint finished at 0-26 overall, losing all 16 of its road games, as well as all 10 home contests, which were played at Perani Arena. At home, Michigan wasn’t quite able to ever get into a defensive groove, garnering 46 goals while allowing 164. The road wasn’t much kinder for the squad, as it scored a mere 17 times while allowing 127.

“All of us are dedicated to building a sustainable program providing students attending UM-Flint the opportunity to play college club hockey in front of their friends and family,” said Golling. “This is something that wouldn’t have happened without the efforts from Michael and all his fellow teammates last season. That’s truly something for these guys to be proud of.”

Schunot, who graduated from LakeVille in 1993, recently concluded his fifth season as the head at Grand Blanc High School, going 16-10-1 overall. In the regional finals, the Bobcats lost to Clarkston, 6-2. In the 2006-07 campaign, Grand Blanc came in at 14-7-3, falling to Bay City 3-0 in preregional action.

Some of the Grand Blanc graduates competing for the U-M Flint hockey club in 2007 include Matthew Bering (06), Michael Drzewiecki (05), Michael Holser (02), Wesley Welch (02) and John Waino (91). Grand Blanc residents Michael LeBlanc and Brandon McAllister also contributed.