While the best fans in the country stream into the Kohl Center to support the Badger hockey team, there is a far more important group who made the players the people they are today. Hockey parents work hard to stand behind their sons but also allow them to establish their independence.
Many of the parents hope that their sons attend school close to home so they can take part in their college experience. Bernie McBain, father of sophomore defenseman Jamie McBain, said Jamie had a lot of interest from a number of eastern and WCHA schools. However, after talking with Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves, Bernie said Jamie decided on Wisconsin.
We thought it would be a good fit for him college-wise and also to prepare him to possibly play in the NHL some day,"" Bernie said. ""We knew that obviously the academic side was going to be well worth it.""
According to his father Bruce Turris, freshman center Kyle Turris was thoroughly impressed and excited about the prospect of attending Wisconsin. Kyle did not see a college hockey game until he was 15 when he and his father took a weekend trip to watch games at Minnesota and Wisconsin.
""He came home from that trip saying he wanted to be a Badger,"" Bruce said.
Jamie McBain grew up with the dream of being a Minnesota Golden Gopher but was swayed after a few conversations with Wisconsin coaches Eaves and Mark Osiecki.
Depending on distance, parents have different experiences when it comes to seeing their sons during the season.
""We are a very close family and it is difficult to be that far away. [Kyle has] lived at home until this year. He was fortunate to play junior hockey close to home and live at home,"" said Bruce Turris, who lives in British Columbia. ""Having him live down in Madison is a real change for all of us. We talk lots and obviously plan to come down and visit as often as we can.""
The family of Kyle Klubertanz deals with the other extreme, living in Sun Prairie, Wis., about a half an hour from campus.
""We don't see him a lot because he is on campus all year round, but it's so nice we can. If we're in the area we can stop and see him."" Ken Klubertanz said. ""He [could] come and do his laundry here, so it was nice, once a week we'd see him. It's been absolutely perfect.""
Mike and Nancy Connelly, parents of junior goalie Shane Connelly, make the effort to come to Madison from their home in Cheltenham, Pa., for every Badger home series.
""It's a big deal, the experience. My wife and I fly out Thursday night and get there late. So all day long on Friday we are anticipating the game,"" Mike said. ""We see our son for breakfast and we have some family out that way so a lot of times we meet with them. Our oldest son lives in Madison, so we see him game day. Then we go to the game Friday. Saturday we go to the Farmers' Market and usually walk around and see campus and then get ready for the Saturday game.""
Mike describes this weekend as typical for his family when the Badgers are at home.
Bernie McBain and wife Vikki go a step further, attending every Badger game, home and away. When in Madison, they join their son for post-game dinners and help him get necessities that he might not be able to get without a car.
While at the games, parents often focus on different aspects of the action.
Ken Klubertanz said he tends to zone in on his son while Bernie McBain watches the overall game.
""I'm a hockey coach '¦ so I tend to watch the game but my eyes rotate pretty quick so I can keep track of [Jamie],"" Bernie said. ""I know my wife ... her focus tends to be on him.""
For Ken Klubertanz, watching his son's accomplishments is like watching his own youthful goals come to fruition.
""I played youth hockey in Madison and high school hockey for LaFollette,"" Klubertanz said. ""We dreamt about being Badgers when we were growing up.
