Red Berenson was honored for his 33 seasons of coaching Michigan hockey when the rink inside Yost Arena was officially named the Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved Thursday an addition to the naming structure at historic Yost Arena at its monthly meeting held at Harding Mott University Center on the Flint campus.
“Red Berenson is a legend in the sport of ice hockey, a tremendous educator of young men and someone who has made a significant impact at the University of Michigan,” said Michigan director of athletics Warde Manuel in a statement. “He has dedicated much of his adult life to develop hundreds of young men here at Michigan. This is an honor befitting his exceptional commitment to intercollegiate athletics and his championship success in the sport of hockey as both a player and a coach.”
The new ice design will be unveiled ahead of this weekend’s home opener as the Wolverines host Vermont with a two-game set starting Friday. The rink will be formally dedicated Jan. 5, 2018, when the Wolverines host Notre Dame for a 6:30 p.m. game.
Berenson came to Michigan first as a student-athlete and later as its head coach for 33 seasons. He received both a bachelor’s degree (1962) and Master of Business Administration degree (1966) from U-M, completing the later degree while excelling on the ice as a professional hockey player.
At Michigan, Berenson was a two-time All-American, the 1962 WCHA MVP and team captain. Following graduation, his NHL career spanned 17 years and included winning the Stanley Cup as a member of the Montreal Canadiens in 1965 and 1966. He went on to coach in the NHL for three years and was named the Jack Adams Award winner (NHL Coach of the Year) in 1981.
Upon returning to Michigan in 1984 as the head hockey coach, Berenson immediately brought Michigan hockey back to the forefront of the NCAA, guiding the Wolverines to national championships in 1996 and 1998 while winning 21 conference championships.
The fourth all-time winningest NCAA hockey coach ((848-426-92 (.654)), Berenson developed two Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners (Brendan Morrison-1997, Kevin Porter-2008), 140 Academic All-Big Ten selections and five Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
He retired at the end of the 2016-17 season.
While retiring from coaching following the 2016-17 season, Berenson continues to serve the department as he works to fulfil his goal of endowing all Michigan Ice Hockey Scholarships. Current financial commitments exceed $20 million dollars.
