(00:00:04) And good morning. Welcome to midday on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary eichten funeral services will be held Saturday morning at the st. Paul Cathedral for legendary Minnesota hockey coach herb Brooks funeral will begin at 10 o'clock. Saturday visitation will be held at the Cathedral on Friday starting at 3:00 in the afternoon continuing until eight o'clock Friday evening, and then visitation will resume before the funeral on Saturday. Her book Brooks died in a rollover accident near Forest Lake Monday afternoon. He was 66 years old. It is difficult to overstate her Brooks's contributions to Minnesota and America after all he pulled off the impossible when he coached the 1980 US Olympic hockey team to the gold medal that victory has been called the greatest moment in sports the 20th century it galvanized the entire nation at a time when it's probably fair to say the nation was in desperate need of some galvanizing but her Brooks did so much more. He coached the University Minnesota hockey team to three national championships. He was a successful coach in the National Hockey League. He was a tireless promoter of Minnesota hockey programs and through it all her Brooks remained a dyed-in-the-wool. St. Paul eastsider down-to-earth true to his roots loyal to his friends Governor Tim pawlenty this week praised her Brooks as Minnesota's head coach this our midday were going to remember her Brooks will be talking with several folks who knew him? Well, Luna Annie Glenn Saint more Wendell Anderson, John Harrington. We'd like you to join our conversation as well. If you have a comment, you'd like to share about her Brooks. Give us a call here. Our Twin City area number is 6512276 thousand 6512276 thousand. Our toll free number is 1-800-218-4243 or 1-800 to for to to 828. We're remembering her Brooks is first hour of our midday program and get started. Lou nanny has joined us. So one of mr. Brooks is longtime friends and Associates Lou Nanny a Minnesota hockey Legend in his own right for that matter loon Annie. Thanks for joining us. (00:02:16) My pleasure. Gary. (00:02:18) First of all condolences on the loss of your friend. (00:02:21) Thank you the be a tragic loss and just a devastating blow to his family and friends and Arcane in general. (00:02:30) What do you remember most about her Brooks? (00:02:34) Well, there's a lot of different things. You know, we go back over 40 years 44 years and we played together and room together and you know that he worked for me with the North Stars. And so I I've got things that I like to remember as I told him just two weeks ago when you got together for lunch. I says you get an older you got to start enjoying life. I want people to know the herb Brooks. I know because he was really a fun-loving guy. He was a prankster he enjoyed life if you know his brother David huzzah was up and great spirits and likes have a lot of fun Herbie had a lot of those traits, but many many people didn't see it. But he really was an individual that you really enjoyed being around when you're just relaxing and having a good time as well (00:03:26) was the reason that some folks didn't see that side of her Brooks because he was so driven. (00:03:31) No, I don't know about that a you know, I often Ask them that because after the Olympics Herbie, you know almost had a little different personality to those that didn't know him. He was he was more reserved when he coached the Olympic team and they had great success. He obviously, you know, a tremendous notoriety and and he just didn't show a lot of people on the outside who he really was and how he was and it's unfortunate because he was you know, not our strict and Stern and intense when you were with him, he in the people, I'm sure the scouts that travel with them last few years and that they got to see a side of him. That was really a terrific individual (00:04:16) when I talk of course a lot about her Brooks the individual but I would be remiss Lou Nanny if early in the program we didn't talk just a tad about her Brooks the hockey coach. What what made him such a great coach was it his Mastery of the X's and O's was it his ability to Motivate players all of the above. What (00:04:37) how would you characterize it? Well Gary, that's right. You can't just become a great goes by one thing and you've got to take attention to detail. Obviously, you've got to be a tactician what she was you've got to be a motivator which he was you also have to have the ability to have your team believe in itself and also willing to work and Herbie was a individual who always had his teams in great condition. He worked on properly he knew how to keep them properly conditioned through a long period of time and he knew how to have them believe in themselves. So it was a combination of a lot of things and those things just don't happen. You've got to have an innate ability to do some of those things and great coaches have and every was one of those great coaches. (00:05:24) We're talking with Lou Nanny longtime friend and teammate and Associate of her Brooks. We're talking about her Brooks this hour remembering her Brooks the A Minnesotan legendary hockey coach. And again, if you would like to call in with your comments and thoughts on her Brooks passing, it was called 6512276 thousand or one eight hundred two four two two eight two eight on the line is former, Minnesota governor and former Olympic hockey great himself Wendell Anderson and like her Brooks and Old St. Paul eastsider Governor Anderson. Thanks for calling in preciate it. (00:06:00) Well, you know, I just listening to lose thing. He he's known her for 44 years. I think I met herb over 55 years ago and we lived about two blocks apart. And you know when I think of her Brooks, of course, I think of his father his father was my campaign manager his father and my dad were close friends my brother rod and her be played on the same line for about 12 years. They want to State wide Bantam or midget championship. In high school, he played on the same line and they wait they won the State High School championship and I'll never forget what herb said in 1980 after his team won the gold medal. However reporter said well, mr. Brooks. I assume this has got to be the biggest thrill of your life and forfeit. Oh, no. He said the biggest thrill of my life was when the st. Paul Johnson high school team that I played on hockey team made it to the high school hockey tournament number that Lou. Yep. I remember that (00:07:06) now, why do you suppose that would be I mean obviously winning the state tournament if you're a Minnesota (00:07:11) came, he's no he didn't say the biggest thrill was winning the state tournament. He said the biggest threat was getting into the tournament. Wow, I mean, I it's just it's just it's typically side. I mean the State High School hockey tournament was the biggest thing in our lives and in at this is not to suggest that he didn't think it was a big thing as team beating the Russians, but for him when he was 16 years old 17 years old, they made it to the state tournament and that's you know, that was a big thing. King and Wendy's right Gary you can talk to a lot of kids that played in the NHL. They want Stanley Cups the they've done a lot of things in ecology won national championships and many of them say, what are your biggest roles in hockey and and state championship comes right up there with those it's amazing. You know, the when you're talking about whole herbes coaching ability a little correct me but my recollection is he went to Russia? Didn't you go to Russia and study and watch and learn from them? No, he really didn't go to Russia. He you know, he had a lot of involvement especially with terrorists off. He used to communicate with her eyes him somewhat and Anatoli tarasov was considered by many, you know, one of the greatest coaches of all time of hockey and he had a lot of innovative ideas. So Herbie's spent some time specially when they would get together and World Championships and things of that sort, and he really really liked his ideas liked his thoughts on on how you had players play in condition themselves. And that's why if you look at the way he liked to play the game and have his teams play the game. It was very reminiscent of what the Russians and the European. Yeah, you know, I I was at an old timers hockey thing two weeks ago Monday and Herb was there and you know, what herb was in high school and college? He's a little guy. And one thing about herb, he kept getting better. May he get kept getting better as a player and I think he kept getting better as a coach. I mean some people Peak early herb, you didn't he kept learning and he was in great shape physically strong and and I thought that's really means it means a lot. I think it's such a good example (00:09:28) and yet despite all have is Fame notoriety and so on still seems from everything you hear same eastsider love to go back and talk to the (00:09:40) talk to the guys. Look at I'm an Insider. I still get my haircuts Berkeley Barbers. So deter still go back to serling's restaurant. I know Lou you're Italian but the best Italian food is that your Russo's on paying them? I'm glad to hear that I got to go over there you mean I just the Kirby never got the big hit he made. May have been times that he was difficult and tough with players and he may have seemed tough to get to know for for strangers. But when he was on the east side, he was Herbie. He totally relaxed and the same guy that we knew when we were growing up Herbie course was a rink rat, you know his dad and mine and others would you know try to help out a little bit but basically those are the days when the hockey players made the ice shovel the rink in the beauty of it. Is there no coaches. I'd have to say you never had a parent of a hockey practice after a hockey game at the old st. Paul Auditorium her Brooks his father and my father and other fathers would be standing around and Coach Gustafson would come out. They don't look at their shoes. You didn't go up and talk to a coach when you were a parent in those days you if her if the coach came over and talked to you that was that was okay, but it was a wonderful time to be a hockey player. I mean, it would be Unthinkable for a parent to say to a coach you're not playing my son enough for our for any kind of criticism or suggestion it Lou doesn't that sound familiar. It's true. Yeah, it certainly was that's the way it was and it was a great time. I have to tell you that, you know, the the kids play hockey. I'm here in Stockholm and one of my friends is going to play hockey tomorrow. We only played for about three months, but you know something on a Saturday literally I'd be a drink 12 hours. I'd be there in the morning. I'd have my lunch should be there in the evening. I'll go home for supper and keep my pads on and and that's what Herbie did you know her hockey coach would never played hockey but he's a good coach because he was a disciplinarian and we respected him but no Herbie again. Just a wonderful person to rink rat who never (00:12:06) changed. I have to ask you one more question here governor before we let you go. Of course, there was some effort to get her Brooks involved in politics a sport, you know, well should he have gotten into politics? (00:12:21) I'm not sure I should have gotten involved in politics. I know that that the Herbie first of all I'd been great at it. But you know, he wouldn't fit into a republican caucus or dfl caucus. I mean he is a true independent and it's been refreshing to have them there. I I think he he did what he did best, which is to be a coach and leader of young men. (00:12:47) Thank you, sir. Appreciate your joining us by former Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson joining us this hour as we remember her Brooks who are starred in a traffic accident on Monday. We talking with several folks who spent time in New her Brooks. Well, Luna. Annie is with us this hour and of course low among other things was a teammate roommate. I'm wondering Lou Nanny the governor was talking about you know, the old days and grow what hockey was like when her Brooks was growing up in the east side. How did Herb Brooks react to the changes that have occurred especially in professional sports? Was he ever comfortable at that level with with the big Egos and the big money and the rest? (00:13:36) Well, yeah. He never really got to concerned about that because he That's the system. That's the way things are and you just don't fight the system by being unhappy with it. You have to let the system work work itself out and if there's any practicalities and it it should work itself on what he didn't admire as much was the the seemingly similarities that all the teams have in checking and the fact that the games are our may be far less wide open and they would be or freewheeling than they would be and he that's why he was anxious. We were attempting to get them back into coaching now at this time because he really wanted to go back and see if If he could have his style and be successful with it and have an effect on the way. The game is played and someone have a (00:14:38) changed. I think it was Ken Morrow one of his players in the Olympics was calling him one of the great innovators of all time. Would you agree with that assessment and (00:14:47) towards definitely? Yeah herb was as I said, he he talked to spend a lot of time with tariffs off because he liked his thoughts and philosophies and style of play and her took those back himself and and implemented him in his team's and styles and and also try to broaden some of those things so he he was very successful because he was willing to look at things differently and continually try and change it improve them (00:15:17) talking the sour about her Brooks remembering her Brooks. If you would like to join our conversations 6512276 thousand or 1-800 to for to to 828. Une annee is on the line. And joining us now is a caller from st. Paul Dave. Go ahead, please (00:15:34) hi, sad day. No, sad week for sure. But I come from a hockey family. My son seven he starred in his fourth year hockey. I help coach, you know, so definitely hockey family, but I remember in the 80s, you know in 1980 when they won the Olympics and stuff is the US was in you know bad shape. We had a hostage crisis situation. I mean it was huge lines at the gas pumps unemployment. And I think with him went in the Olympics are you know, and that not only him but the team I know it's going to sound corny, but I'm not he's not only a Minnesota Legend. I think he's an American hero, you know, he inspired me and kind of brought up everybody's emotions at that time when we were really down and you know, I said, I think you should be recognized more as you know, quite an individual. Thank you. Thank thank you (00:16:25) Lou Nanny did was her Brooks willing to accept that role as the Great American. Second heroic kind of him and his team saving America as it were at a time when maybe we needed some (00:16:36) saving. Well, he didn't know the effect that had at that time. But as time went on he saw that it was just as the caller was pointed out really victories affected the whole country Not Just Hockey and he very much relish. Now the fact that the team had such a great effect on the country. In fact in I'd say about three months or coming up with a movie that Kurt Russell is playing her Brooks and they are going to be talking and it's going to be stories Olympics, but there's going to be a lot of notoriety about I'm sure about the effect on the country in the whole thing. And he was very very excited about this movie being done. I must have talked to him about 10 times over the summer when he was giving me a blow-by-blow how was coming along on who is doing this and etcetera and how they were filming and he was really really excited about this and We come on the floor. (00:17:32) How did this collection? They were good players to be sure and I think that's often not emphasized enough. They were real good Collegiate amateur players, but how in the world did this collection of American players? How are they able to defeat the great Soviet Union team just a week before the Olympics the Soviets beat him 10 to 3. How did that (00:17:55) happen? Well Gary this that's why you think when you're an underdog team, you love one-game playoff, you know when you have when you have a team first of all, Jim Craig gave him great golden. He had 36 sakes. Secondly you had a situation where terrorists off was so confident cocky that because trecek led a goal in the Saudi show. Stop people is golden and second period put in their second team goaltender who you know, it's light years difference in the net and third the the team itself was so well conditioning and so up and so ready to play that when they smelled They really went for it. They all of a sudden, you know as the clock is ticking by his games going on. They had a ten three lost three weeks before that or two and a half weeks. I was at that game here in New York and and then I was at that game they won and and you could see the confidence in themselves building because the games close all the way along and you could see the Russians getting uptight because this shouldn't be happening and that's why whenever you're playing a great team and you're not as good you you don't want to play him 10 times. You want to blame one time. (00:19:04) Get clothes. Hang on tight. (00:19:05) It's rate (00:19:07) did Herb Brooks imagine that he actually could beat the Soviet Union. (00:19:14) I'd have to be honest and say no he I'm sure you know, he shall feed. You know, that the you get beat N3 in there and they basically were as good a team as there wasn't a world. He played the NHL guys and beat them and and they had a seven game series with the with Canada just previous to that. You don't want to went to seven games and contains finally won over in Europe are in Russia, but I got to tell you, you know, if you're a realist he would tell you this himself is that no, he didn't expect to win the game. We want to have a good showing but as it goes on then you start to even wait. Wait a minute. What's Happening (00:19:53) Here former state? Senator, Kevin Chandler's on the line with some thoughts about her Brooks. Hi Kevin Hi, how are you? (00:20:04) I was listening to windy and it reminded me of when I was running for the Senate. The first time I heard was in my district. He was living in Shoreview at the time I believe and we came extremely close to getting him to run for the legislature. We had a meeting over in Roger Mo's office, but just as Wendy said that I'll never forget during the meeting her finally turned to me and said, you know Kevin I'm not even sure I'm a Democrat and I said, oh, yes, you are you from the East side you let me worry about that. But then even more amazingly he said well, do you think I could win and I mean he just didn't seem to have any thought that he was this big deal. He was very humble and I was like, you think you can win, of course, you can win and furthermore even better. I can win too. I had visions of joint literature with her Brooks arm around my shoulder, but in the end he just decided it wasn't for him and he was probably Right, but he was pretty apolitical and obviously very humble about his stature in the community. (00:21:10) Now, I read the other day here that one of the reasons that her Brooks was able to contribute so much to hockey in the state of Minnesota youth programs in the rest was because if he would show up at the legislature people would perk up and listen is that pretty (00:21:28) accurate that's absolutely accurate and he also took great pains not to be too controversial sharply Contra contrary to someone like Bud Grant who waited into the very controversial Indian treaty issue herb would never do that. He stayed Above The Fray and as a result, he appealed to both parties and had tremendous influence over the construction of hockey arenas and other programs like that. (00:21:53) Thanks for calling and appreciate it. Former state. Senator, Kevin Chandler joining us this hour as we remember her Brooks again funeral services will be held. At the Cathedral in st. Paul for her Brooks who died in a rollover accident on Monday on the line from New York is Lou nanny who was Confidant teammate a boss, I guess at one point loon any of her Brooks for many many many years. He's joined us. So we'll be talking to some other folks as well. But we'd like to get your Recollections as well. If you have some comments on her Brooks, give us a call at six five one two, two seven six thousand 6512276 thousand or toll-free line is 1-800-218-4243 or 1-800 to for to to 828 Lu nanny in terms of his coaching in the professional ranks. How would you grade him good, but not great coach. Would you call him a great coach in the Pro ranks? (00:22:59) Well Herbie, did it. His best job was in New York. You came in New York. You want a hundred games faster than any other New Yorkers coach had one and so his best job was done in New York. He he also coached in New Jersey and he he had not as much success as I would have thought he would have had their but he got into a situation with one of the players and I remember he called me from there and he says Louis I don't know how to handle it. So I don't know what I'm going to do with this guy just can't have him on my team. And I said the thing to do is just sit them out and stands and if you win you go to the general manager and say we don't need this guy treat him as if you lose you're gonna have to play him. But whatever you do don't get in a situation in the papers with it because it's going to tie the general managers hands and it's going to make the player less valuable. Unfortunately here. We got a little upset with this guy after a couple more weeks and one in the paper about it, and they had A bit of controversy over it and that that's why he didn't stay in New Jersey after that year. He he had come to us and coach for me when with the North Stars in 1987-88 and unfortunately that year we set the record for the most games missed and injuries we had over 500. So he really has hands tied behind his back which in the North Stars because we had our best players out for the majority of the season. So he wasn't nearly successful as he would have been had he had a good healthy teen then he took over Pittsburgh of a couple of years ago late in the season and he did an excellent job with that team one of the reasons why even though they had some great talent. They had some individuals that were one player was what the best in the league but he also was a player that tough to coach and Herbie had to really hand load very very tough delicate situation in the right way to get the most out of those guys and he did an excellent job with it. (00:24:57) Mark your comments on her Brooks. (00:25:00) Yeah, I grew up in Southeast Minneapolis. And I played Peewee and Bantam hockey. We used to practice at Williams Arena after the Gophers would have their practices in the afternoon early evening a lot and Coach Brooks always stop and talk to our coach to us as they were leaving the ice. We'd all sit around to try to get the sticks from the college players. We try to get them to give us their old sticks and stuff but he'd always stop and ask us how our team was doing and talk to the coach and asked, you know, how are things going and he could have just walked by and you know ignored us but he took the time to talk to us and we kind of knew him because we'd see him a number of times and just made a really big impression on the entire team. (00:25:43) Thanks Mark. Thank you. Une annee. This is a story that we we've heard repeatedly this week that even though her Brooks was a real big shot. He was not at all above helping the little guys around here. (00:25:56) Well, I said this many times Herbie would talk to the fire hydrant. If it could talk back about hockey. We ve just with takaaki 24 hours a day with anybody and everybody that wanted to talk hockey. He just was consumed by it. He loved it. He really relish the fact that he had abilities in the game and were discussing with people where he could help them or if they had questions for him that he could answer. It was something I mean just 10 days ago my office two weeks we come in and we have lunch and he starts talking about his Herbie. I'm out of that. Now I said, I want to talk to you all day long. He just never wanted to stop (00:26:38) joining us. Now. Let Lou nanny is with us and joining us also now is former University of Minnesota and Minnesota North Stars coach Glenn son more who is currently a scout for the Minnesota Wild long time get a longtime associate of heard Brooks son more. Thanks for joining us today. (00:26:54) Appreciate it. My pleasure. I'm very Please that you have (00:26:58) me my condolences on the loss of her (00:27:00) Brooks. Thank you. As for be as Louis just said it's a very very difficult time for a lot of us who thought so much of her band and we're right with them real right that morning the you know that this was terrible accident happened and it has been a very difficult time. Actually. I find it does help to talk about it and to talk to talk about him. (00:27:22) Well, what will you remember most about her Brooks? (00:27:24) Well, many of the same things. These people are talking about our Louise going over it. Mine was a little different. I met Herby. I'm you know, I'm a Canadian and and I came down here, but I I met her before T eight years ago when I came John Mariucci who was my guardian angel and Louise and her Beast had to arrange for me to get the Freshman coaching job at the University after I had the accident that ended my hockey playing career and so I could finish up my my coursework at the University. So he got me the Freshman coaching job. In 56 when he was going to take the Olympic team to Cortina. I think it was then but anyway, when I came in for that freshman team and those days freshmen were ineligible to play and couldn't play a real schedule. We had a lot of candidates on a team every but her be Brooks was was on that team. So that was my introduction to Herbie and then 10 years later John Mayer. You see again got me the coaching job at the University and after I had Louis for an assistant coach for a bit and then Herbie was my assistant coach therefore for a couple of our years old and I got to know him real well (00:28:34) then. Would you? Well, what in your mind Glenn son more should people focus on her Brooks the man or her Brooks the coach. What do you suppose is the is the bigger legend that he lives behind? (00:28:52) Well, I for people that really got to know him like Louis and I I'm sure for us it'll be the man but for most people that I mean less obvious, let's face it as great as he was at the University. And anyway, I mean winning three national championships and seven years absolutely phenomenal, but he's going to be remembered as and connected with the Miracle on Ice thing. There isn't any question about that and and then that well, it should be deservedly it was voted the outstanding. Hi Kira not hockey Sports story of the 20th century and nobody at all. Not the players not anybody else ever disputes who really was the author of that and that's what he's going to be remembered for more than anything. I'm sure but as you've heard the loo talk a lot of We'll have a lot of other things will remember about. (00:29:41) Mm-hmm. Don is on the line from South st. Paul with a comment about her books down. Go ahead please (00:29:48) well, I you know, I heed to blaspheme in this program because I'm not really a hockey coach. I coached everything else and my only real tide of the game is my daughter plane. But you know, I've coached everything else and I think her Brooks had a great impact in the state of Minnesota just done coaching. I think that you know, I've been reading every article in the newspaper and and he's just done a great job and I think if he were listening this program, he probably is what he would love about this program is you guys talk about hockey. I mean, you know, mr. Summer. I just love listening to you, you know on the Gopher games broadcast them and you know, mr. Nanny when I was a kid, I used to listen to you do the state hockey tournament. I still love listening to do it and you know, this is one of the jewels of Minnesota is hockey. The only question I really ask you guys is what you know, what is your favorite her Brooke story? I'd really like to hear you guys hear that. Thank you. Good question, Don. Thanks. Go ahead Louis Junior someone just talk to you you'd like to hear. What's your favorite? Lure her Brooke story. I mean, you know, I got so many of them. I guess I guess when I guess when Herbie and I were playing with the Olympic team, you know, we were in Grenoble we were co-captains that team and and we had a day off we enough to play the next day and and and he's just come on. Let's get out of here and go get some real good food. We don't have to eat this stuff. I still not going to let us study here. I said, you know, we got to watch a coach who's going to be watching. No. No, I find a way to get out. So it was dark and we went down the road and he's right here. We jumped over there was a fence so I jumped over and it was dark and and got it was you know, just been raining that day course quite heavily and I got mud all over me and he's how is it always a so, it's perfect just jump over he jump over and fell in the mud and you know, he said, what are you doing mises? I said listen, if I'm getting what you're getting what we ended up going downtown that there's a little Italian restaurant the only other two people in there were Peggy. I mean their mother that's the night. That's the time. She went all her gold medals and we had to sneak back in there (00:31:46) Glenn, son more you're up next your favorite her Brooke (00:31:48) story. Yeah, Ruby uses like to do things his own way. At first. I'd like to say early, you know, he was a very respectful young man. Well, you know, I was his coach any he was assistant coach. It didn't take me long to see this. We had an absolute genius on our hands and he was very respectful. Everybody was always you always had some agenda you want to do what I what I was I remember early was him telling me not to subtly their Hyo about recruiting. He says, you know Glenn don't you don't need to go over way over to Edina with all those people over they want to get a hockey players come on over to Payne Avenue and the east side of st. Paul. He was right away we go. I say well, for example Billy Nye rap was played for he died over there and I say, well Herbie, there's some pretty good players over there in Edina to maybe we shouldn't ignore them completely but he was but he was a joy to be around and what what Lou just alluded to the area of the most discernible thing immediately was this guy's absolute passion for the game and it was right there right right away and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do her. He didn't he didn't really think about a whole lot else except hockey and how to get better and he was he you know, he and he that continued and Lou alluded to it and I say to other there's there's been nobody that was the innovator or made the changes in here all of us because we're all John Mariucci disciples. I don't and I think John Mayer youichi has had the greatest impact on in hockey in this area than anybody could ever have but what her be if he's behind it at all. He's not behind far behind it and he is his own way. He influence a lot of other things John was like me more John wasn't exactly an Exon or all kind of system things in her be took that to another level, you know, he did implement the European style of play. Into but he always kept a citrusy always kept enough of the Canadian or American toughness and everything. You never saw her B's real teams that didn't have a Paul Holmgren or somebody like that around there around that didn't let things get out of hand for those little guys he had that could handle the (00:33:55) puck. We're remembering her Brooks this our her Brooks. Of course the well Minnesota an American Legend who died this week in a traffic accident near Forest Lake funeral services will be held on Saturday at the Cathedral in st. Paul long time her Brooks Associates Glenn, son more and Louis Lou Nanny have joined us. And also we invite you to give us a call with your comments and Recollections or her Brooke 6512276 thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight 286512276 thousand 1-800 to for 22828 joining us now is one of the men who played for her. So in that famous 1980 US Olympic hockey team John Harrington, John is now the hockey coach at st. John's University in Collegeville. Mr. Harrington. Thanks for joining us this morning. You bet my condolences to you on the loss of her Brooks. (00:34:54) Yeah. Thanks. It's it's a tough loss. I've been telling people, you know, not only the Minnesota but internationally on the world hockey stage. One of the great coaches one of the all-time greats and he's going to be (00:35:06) missed John Harrington. We keep reading about how what a tough coach he was in fact, he described himself as a bastard in terms of his treatment of the US Olympic hockey teams at pretty accurate. (00:35:22) Well, yeah, I mean he was he was a tough son of a gun, you know, I mean, but he kept everybody on the same page everybody hated him and he kept us all together that way but he was tough but I think he had players to that new going in that's the way he coached and that he got results and he had the ability to to find the right buttons to push with each player and take him to that spot that just before they'd say, you know what I don't need to do this and and he got the most out of everyone. (00:35:51) Did you get the sense that his primary contribution to that great Olympic team, was it in terms of his X's and O's or was it in terms of his ability as a motivator? (00:36:03) Why I think a little bit of both, I mean, there's no question, you know, tactically he knew what he was doing but he's such a great motivator inability to find a cause and to find a reason and to put things together and understand what he had and did he get all those parts to play together to make a better team like we always said it said, you know, you took the guys individually and good players, but maybe not matching up with some of the great International Teams we played but when her put it together and motivated team probably some all of us the whole is greater than the sum of the park. (00:36:35) You're caught it in the papers. John Harrington is saying that you were able to pick his brain from time to time give you a lot of support as a coach. (00:36:46) Yeah. He you know after I got done playing in the Olympics played an 84 as well. I've got a coaching job. My first college coaching job was at the University of Denver and actually coach his son Dan at University of Denver. He came and we recruited him to come there and I always appreciated her. When you run into a matter of rancor or you know, it could call them or whatever and ask them about things we were doing or suggestions and he was always willing to help you out. He wanted you to be better and in any gave advice and he certainly you know, anytime I know when I think John's the first time we went to the National Tournament and was new ground for me as a head coach. He was very supportive and of my ideas and what I was trying to accomplish and tried to instill the same conviction in my ideas that I had for our team that he had four r's in 1980 (00:37:38) any last thoughts you want to leave people with in terms of what you think people should remember about her (00:37:43) Brooks. Well, I did I think just kind of what I've been saying is that he had he had real conviction in his beliefs, you know, and sometimes he you know, he rubbed people the wrong way with some of the things he said and he always herb was one of those guys who always thought he was right and I have to say that more often than not he was closer to write than a lot of other coaches. I have worked with and had the chance to know (00:38:08) John Harrington. Thanks for joining us. (00:38:10) Appreciate it Gary that again. I've got to go now, but I appreciate being with you and I'm sure you're going to enjoy all the fruits of people have a brother Brooks (00:38:22) poonanny. Thank you so much for joining us. And that was Lou Nanny still with us Glenn Saint more. You're still here, (00:38:29) right? Yes. I am. (00:38:31) Okay great. I'm going to make a switch here to make sure that we we so, hold on just a moment if you would please. Still with us Glenn. All right, well by golly we got everything worked out the way it was supposed to say I have to ask you before we get back to listener calls her their folks who have their Recollections of her Brooks that that we like to hear but something how did Herb Brooks end up as the coach of the French Olympic team in (00:39:04) 1998. That's another challenge that somebody asked herb to do it. And as Louis said he was we between assignments, you might as we call it at that time and someone approached him and he did a miraculous job. I haven't seen a mission, but my recollection is they had a game with one of the American teams and and and Herbie's French team beat them to which I remember chuckling about because as we've seen set forth here Gary Herbie came to the USA Hockey thing and presented a plan where he would have coached both the 92 and the 94. I think they had for some reason we're going to have those things just two years apart. That time. I don't know how that came about but he had a plan and the the USA Hockey people wanted him to just commit they just wanted to commit for one. They wouldn't commit for both of them. And as everybody that knows her be knows that this is William herbicide. It should be done in a they were going to let a dual that way then he bowed out and I think it might have been against one of those teams that he he went over there. But primarily it would be just what you've heard people say if if it involved hockey and he thought it was a challenge and it was a chance to you know, to put some of his ideas into action everything particularly with a unproven team as the French were he would do it and he certainly did (00:40:27) did it was he kind of prickly it sounds like he was gay (00:40:31) pretty much. Yeah. I mean, there's no denying Derby would take a stand and he wasn't going to budging an inch. A matter of fact, there were one of the things that sticks most with me about we have in John Harrington alluded to this, too. But that he was a man who had a very very positive ideas and strong strong conviction convictions and he would stand by him. No matter what he would in the example of he gave up the job a very good job in the National Hockey League Louis was talking about in New Jersey simply because I remember talking to him in the offseason that year and he was talking about this one player in particular that he said I will he goes against everything I believe in and I will not coach that team if he's there again, and I remember thinking God this I knew the guy was a very popular with the owner and everything else and he just took a stand and he would not budge from it one bit and when you live like that, you know, you do run into conflict with people and Herbie did have a fair measure of that and he would not back off at all (00:41:40) break a few eggs along the way Pat are your comment, please (00:41:45) Is I would just like to comment on you know with her being partial to the little the little people around the game of hockey up in Hibbing. There's a drink called Green Green Haven. And inside of there is picture of the 1980 Olympic teams, and it says to Dominic Grillo and grillo's pretty famous name on the Range as well in the hockey community and it says to Dominic Grillo keep up the good work for all the future Olympians and this is just a outside rank, but it's fairly well known in the community. And and that's just a comment I have about you know, he would it didn't make any difference if you're in the NHL or if you were Pee Wee outside playing and Park Board hockey. Thank you. Thanks Pat jury. That's so typical Herbie, and he would do things in any, you know, I never wanted your claim for then. He just he just cared passionately about people that were involved in hockey and and you So many remarks by people of the thoughtful little things. I saw a little reference by the guy who was the trainer with the with her B's Miracle on Ice team Gary Smith from here and was later a trainer very accomplished guy trainer in Philadelphia. He was with us with the were associated with this moose team, you know, amateur or a mature minor protein we had here in the mid-90s, but Gary talking about olly we don't work hours that the equipment people and and the and the training staff and everything put in at such an event like the Olympics and how they were at the rink just endless hours and they were there after everybody else and what her be would have arranged to have left sandwiches or something for them when they were working these long hours things that you know, most of us to be very honest don't ever think about it and Gary said then they said it's those kind of little things that we remember so much about (00:43:41) her John your comment, please (00:43:43) yeah, Gary would there's been To conversations from from insiders but I was at the University early 70s in a different sport and I just want to point out that to Outsiders who really didn't know much about hockey. We I probably met him three times just walking by the university and this gentleman had so much personal magnetism has so much Charisma that you'd walk by and just throw out a line like hey coach. How did you do this weekend you're doing great and I tell you that the guy would just pull your right in each sucky in with that that Charisma and I'm sure that's one of the reasons these he recruited so well, but there are a lot of us who don't have an awful lot to do with hockey that shed a tear yesterday. He's just an incredible (00:44:24) gentleman John. Thanks for the thanks for coming. Thank you Lance on more. Did you see that outside the world of hockey did he had this is the impact that John was talking (00:44:34) about. Oh, yes, he certainly did there, you know, there's some not many of us walk through hell with greatness some time. But you just knew that this guy was was something really exceptionally and he carried himself. Very very well, but he did. Yeah, he was very very charismatic. And you know, we just had a kind of aura about him that it was it was hard to miss. I'll tell you (00:44:55) did it bother him or did he enjoy being recognized by folks like John and you know people who out again outside that hockey establishment, they'd see him and say how you doing coach and zones of the Dead bother him. (00:45:06) I didn't bother him at all. He he enjoyed it and Rush he just would wish he'd had a little more time to spend because as people have commented he would take time for every everybody and anybody but you know that he had a lot of things he had to get to it everything and sometimes the only regret I think he had your he was that he couldn't spend a little more time. No, he genuinely enjoyed it and he meant it. He wasn't just being politically correct or anything or because he didn't intend to run for office I could tell you but he he he just did enjoy relating with with (00:45:39) people Stewart your comment, please (00:45:42) yeah. 79 season I was in sixth grade and we were on a championship hockey team in Bloomington. And this was just a basic City League then we were undefeated and we went all year and her Brooks showed up at the championship game to see what we're all about. And I thought that was just amazing. How heated up to this little league game just to see what these guys were doing. I mean, obviously we're crushing everybody and I love you scouting talent, but we were so proud to have them there. I mean we were surprised but yeah, it was great and he shook her hand and you know, he's probably nicest guy we ever met never forget the day. Thank you Stuart. Hey, (00:46:19) I enjoyed a story that was written up in the newspapers Glenn sound more about the I think it was the Johnson high school team in the state tournament and they were getting waxed pretty bad and and and apparently Glenn's are her Brooks was not the coach anymore. He is lost. But he aired out the team pretty pretty pretty bad there during the at the end of the second period and one of the Players was quoted as his greatest thing that ever happened to get chewed out by her Brooks. (00:46:50) Yeah, but he was gonna especially if it was say Paul Johnson, I'll tell you he was gonna he was going to try to make a difference and as I'm sure he did I think the guy read the seek to Great it didn't improve their their the outcome and all he had beat anyway, but that's something they remember all their (00:47:07) lives Chris your comment, please press I'm going to Ops. I'm sorry. I'm sorry Chris. We're going to let you go here. Your phone is breaking up or at least we can't receive the signal very well. I guess that's the better way to put it but I appreciate your your taking the time to try to get your comments on Kathleen your comment place. (00:47:27) I've Kathleen Ritter and I'm really speaking for my husband Barbara de who knew her be very well at the beginning of his career and I used to watch her be play for the University and then I watched him on the Olympic teams and I think both of our feelings about him was Here was someone who had the greatest potential press possible to contribute to hockey and my husband used to say if her be only controls himself. He's going to go far and then he was there when he won it but Lake Placid and he came home and my three sons had been there and the look at his eye was he did it and Herbie had that ability to seize the moment to know what should be done and he did it because I say something to Kathleen you bet Kathleen as long as I live. Seriously the greatest role of the ball he could he said what so many of us. He had what a way with words Robert head and he and he you know, he had been so close with John and his testimony in his talk about John as well. You know, it's quite some time ago and it stays with me yet and it plan how nice of you to remember I do and I just want to say that to you. Thank you because he he and John had had a real relationship and especially with the young players that came along and they were in the background but he did see talent and recognized (00:49:27) it Kathleen rhetoric. Thank you for calling in. Appreciate (00:49:30) it. Okay, bye-bye (00:49:32) Glenn son more before we wrap up. We have not yet mentioned Patty Brooks herds wife and it again reading between the lines seems like she really played a Critical role in his success. (00:49:47) Yeah, he was wasn't is a delight and she was the perfect made for her they had and they had a wonderful relationship and she used to Kid the laugh about it and they probably saw the story was typical of Patty one. The first movie was made and Karl Malden played her be and they said of her be said of they gave Patty your choice. She wanted the Robert Redford to play her be and she wanted to play herself and that was fatty and Patty was just just a delight the people herps friends. Would love to get a chance to talk to Patty about what was going on. She she kept the erbia enlightened. They they had and I'm sure you know, it was a difficult relationship to keep with the with the commitments that everything her be had, but they they made it work wonderfully and raise the wonderful family and and she's just outgoing Wonderful lady who who who so much enriched herpes herpes life and we were so glad glad for him that he had found her. I remember Louis and the other day. I was listening that said Herby. I had trouble making the change his mind many times with and he said but the one decision he had no trouble with once he met Patty they were they were both playing Herbie and Louis together on a semi-pro team in Rochester, Minnesota. And Patty was a nurse down there. I guess and erbium story I guess is Herbie got injured and waiting for something and he met Patti and and Herbie said that was the last Lady he ever saw her be I mean, they're needing days before that I guess but they said that what's what's her be had met Patty. That was the last Lady. He saw you that the Derby dated and they had a wonderful wonderful (00:51:35) life. I would imagine they'll be quite a turnout on Saturday for the funeral service. (00:51:39) I can't imagine how they'll handle all that stuff, but I'm sure they'll (00:51:43) find a way. Lands on more we are out of time this hour, but I'd really like to thank you for joining us sharing your Relic Recollections of her Brooks. (00:51:52) Thank you. As I mentioned it's a lot of us are still kind of in shock everybody in shock, but it does help to talk about it and about him. (00:52:01) Thank you, sir. Thank you Glenn son more longtime associate of her Brooks course. Mr. Sun more himself carved out a distinguished career and continues to do so former University of Minnesota. Former North Stars coach currently a scout for the Minnesota Wild also joining us this hour. Well gee we heard from Lou Nanny former Governor Wendell Anderson, John Harrington Kathleen Ritter many other people would like to thank all of you who've been with us this hour and again the funeral service for her Brooks is at 10 o'clock Saturday morning at the Cathedral and say Paul visitation is begins at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Cathedral. We're going to take a short break. We're here for some news headlines. And then when we come back, we will have the final installment in that series. We've been running this week about the Red Scare series is titled blacklisted. So stay tuned.