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The University of Wisconsin will unveil LaBahn Arena, the new hockey facility this upcoming fall. It appears that the two men likely to benefit the most from the 2,400 seat arena are going to be around for a while to see it come to fruition.
Friday afternoon the UW announced through a release on their website that the contracts of Badger men's hockey head coach Mike Eaves, and Badger women's hockey coach Mark Johnson have been extended through June 30, 2017.
Through ten seasons at Wisconsin Eaves has amassed a 209-156-44 record which includes five trips to the NCAA tournament. Eaves has also led the Badgers to two Frozen Fours during his tenure, and returned to Madison with the national championship trophy in 2006.
Eaves is also considered as one of the top talent developers at the NCAA level. 23 former Badgers have played in the NHL that were coached by Eaves at Wisconsin, including 21 that saw action in the league this past season.
In nine seasons behind the bench for the Badger women Mark Johnson has quickly cemented himself as the top coach in women's college hockey. Johnson has accumulated an astounding .832 win percentage during his time spent behind the Badger bench. Even more amazing, Johnson has led the Badger women to the national championship game in six consecutive seasons, winning four times.
Johnson and Eaves are both alumni of the school and are two of the Universities most decorated athletes. Eaves is a two-time All-American, and also Wisconsin's career scoring leader. Eaves led the Badgers to the 1977 national championship assisting on three goals in the title game, including the game winner in overtime.
After his career at Wisconsin Eaves spent parts of eight seasons in the NHL, registering 226 points in 324 games before his career was cut short due to injury.
Johnson, also a member of that 1977 championship squad is second to just Eaves in career scoring, and is Wisconsin's career goal leader.
The Madison native was a prominent member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that won gold in Lake Placid, and scored two goals against the Soviet Union in a game later dubbed as the "Miracle on Ice."
The son of legendary Wisconsin coach 'Badger Bob,' Johnson went on to a solid NHL career registering 508 points in 669 career games between stints with Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Hartford, St. Louis, and New Jersey.
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