Legendary men's hockey coach Jeff Sauer, who guided the Badgers to two national championships in 1983 and 1990, passed away Thursday at the age of 73.
He is the winningest coach at UW in any sport with 489 victories. Sauer coached the Badgers from 1982 until 2002, when Mike Eaves took the reigns.
Most recently, Sauer coached the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, which he led to back-to-back gold medals in the 2010 and 2014 Paralympic Games. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in September.
Sauer had a profound influence on both current Badger hockey coaches, men's coach Tony Granato and women’s coach Mark Johnson. After news of his death, the sports community on Twitter responded with an outpouring of messages for Sauer, who will go down as a beloved figure in the hockey world.
Incredibly sad news this morning. Jeff Sauer has passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 73. Anyone who met him was better for it.
— Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) February 2, 2017
On this day, a sad day for hockey, I recycle a Bob Johnson quote on Jeff Sauer: "He's so likable; I don't think he's ever made any enemies."
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) February 2, 2017
Will have a moment of silence before tomorrow's games for Jeff Sauer, please join us in remembering a great man.
— Buffalo Sled Hockey (@BUFsledhockey) February 2, 2017
Jeff Sauer did something quite rare: He followed in the footsteps of a legend, Bob Johnson, and created his own championship legacy. #RIP.
— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggot) February 2, 2017
We lost a wonderful man today. RIP Jeff Sauer, long-time men's hockey coach at Wisconsin & current coach of U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.
— Tom Oates (@TomOatesWSJ) February 2, 2017
My Jeff Sauer story. Rest in peace, Coach. pic.twitter.com/ynUwsxmx1R
— Jayson Hajdu (@JaysonHajdu) February 2, 2017
Words cannot express our sorrow at the passing of Jeff Sauer, a legendary #WCHA coach & hockey ambassador, and an even better person.
— WCHA Men's Hockey (@WCHA_MHockey) February 2, 2017
#mnwild organization joins the hockey community in mourning the passing of Saint Paul native & longtime WCHA and @USAHockey coach Jeff Sauer pic.twitter.com/XIWBkZo2BI
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 2, 2017
I am very sad for the loss of Coach Sauer, but grateful to have had such a special person for a mentor. My prayers are w/ the Sauer family. pic.twitter.com/7Bg1RLJ3Tt
— Coach Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) February 2, 2017
Truly saddened to learn that legendary & iconic coach Jeff Sauer has passed. Our thoughts & prayers are extended to his family & friends.
— MinnStWomen's Hockey (@MSUWomensHockey) February 2, 2017
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Jeff Sauer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, @usahockey and the hockey community. pic.twitter.com/b8QNTh1vtv
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 2, 2017
Full #WCHA statement on the passing of Jeff Sauer, a legendary coach & ambassador; &, above all, a wonderful person. https://t.co/n4wdxpef5H pic.twitter.com/aRnCWugMVP
— WCHA Women's Hockey (@WCHA_WHockey) February 2, 2017
