In the course of its history, Badger hockey has won an impressive six NCAA titles. Each holds a special place in the history of the university, but none are as legendary as the 1976-'77 squad.
Just one year prior to that season, the Badgers were undermanned as their coach and two of their stars competed for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team. This was an honor for the university but had devastating effects on the Badger season as they finished an abysmal 12-24-2, the second worst record in school history.
The Olympians returned for the '77 season along with a talented group of underclassmen that constantly showed signs of tremendous potential. The Badgers started the season at a respectable but not dominant 15-6. After a split series against arch rival Minnesota, the Badgers turned up the intensity and never looked back. They finished the rest of the season 22-1-1 for a final record of 37-7-1—still the best mark in school history. On top of that, they never lost two consecutive games and were the first team in history to win the Big Ten, WCHA and NCAA championships in the same season.
Their thrilling postseason run was culminated by Steve Alley's overtime goal against Michigan to give the Badgers a 6-5 victory and capture the university's second national championship.
The Badgers were coached by the legendary Bob Johnson, who is credited as the pioneer of Badger hockey. In 15 seasons as Badger coach, he led them to a 367-175-23 record and three national titles. Johnson also had plenty of success at the pro level, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup title in 1991 in just a single season. He was selected for a second time to coach Team USA in the 1992 Olympics but resigned after learning he had developed cancer, dying soon after and shocking the hockey community. This was a tragic loss, but Johnson's memory lives on with his presence in the UW Athletic, U.S. Hockey, and Hockey Halls of Fame.
Eaves has fond memories of his coach's style and personality.
""Bob had the ability to make people really be excited about coming to the rink,"" Eaves said. ""He did that at this level and at the pro level, and that's something we are all very proud of.""
The 1977 Badger team was led by several outstanding stars. Junior defenseman Craig Norwich was an All-American and finished his career with the second most points of any defenseman in Badger history. Freshman center Mark Johnson (son of Badger coach Bob Johnson and current UW women's coach) burst onto the scene, winning Freshman of the Year honors and going on to become the second-leading scorer in Badger history, to go along with an impressive NHL career and a 1980 ""Miracle On Ice"" Olympic title. Lastly, junior center Mike Eaves was an All-American and finished his career with the most points in UW history.
Eaves felt that the Badgers' key to success was their work ethic.
""When you look back on the team, I think our greatest quality was that we were a very talented group of college players that worked really hard when we came to the rink,"" Eaves said. ""We had a lot of characters, like off-key characters—guys that did their own thing away from the rink. But when they came to the rink everybody was focused on being the best hockey player that they could, which helped us become the best team that we could. All those ingredients kind of molded themselves into this group of guys that was able to do something very special in terms of creating a very strong team and having a great record.""
Eaves expressed the intensity of his emotions during the final moments of victory.
""When I won as a player and the puck went into the net, there was such a state of euphoria that I don't remember being on the ice after the puck went in,"" Eaves said. ""That speaks to the state of euphoria that one can get as an athlete, you're so invested emotionally, physically, spiritually that when it comes together, you can't remember anything.""
Future champions may reign victorious on the Kohl Center ice, but perhaps no team will ever match the 1977 Badgers' unparalleled model of success.
