Vic Heyliger
Encyclopedia
Victor Heyliger was a National Hockey League
center
and the head coach
of the University of Michigan
ice hockey team
.
Born in Concord, Massachusetts
, he attended the Lawrence Academy
in Groton, Massachusetts
and as an All-America
n at Michigan set a school record of 116 goals. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks
in 1938 and 1944, bookending his tenure as coach at the University of Illinois
from 1939–43, posting a record of 59–29–4.
Returning to Michigan as coach of the Wolverines, he led the team to six NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
s in his thirteen years from 1944 to 1957: 1948
(the first NCAA title), 1951
, 1952
, 1953
, 1955
, 1956
. His teams reached the Frozen Four in each of the first ten seasons it was held.
In 1954 he received the Spencer Penrose Award
from the American Hockey Coaches Association
as the University Division Coach of the Year. Heyliger had an overall Michigan record of 228–61–13. After coaching the U.S. national team in 1966, he coached at the United States Air Force Academy
from 1966–74, where he was 85–77–3.
He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
in its second class of inductees in 1974. In 1988 he was awarded the John MacInnes Award by the AHCA, an honor which recognizes those individuals who have displayed an interest in amateur hockey and youth programs, as well as fostering high graduation rates among their players.
He died at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado
, aged 94.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
center
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
and the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
ice hockey team
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
.
Born in Concord, Massachusetts
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
, he attended the Lawrence Academy
Lawrence Academy at Groton
Lawrence Academy at Groton, , is a co-educational preparatory school located in Groton, Massachusetts, in the United States...
in Groton, Massachusetts
Groton, Massachusetts
Groton is a town located in northwestern Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The population was 10,646 at the 2010 census. It is home to two noted prep schools: Groton School, founded in 1884, and Lawrence Academy at Groton, founded in 1793. The historic town hosts the National Shepley Hill Horse...
and as an All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n at Michigan set a school record of 116 goals. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
in 1938 and 1944, bookending his tenure as coach at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
from 1939–43, posting a record of 59–29–4.
Returning to Michigan as coach of the Wolverines, he led the team to six NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
s in his thirteen years from 1944 to 1957: 1948
1948 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1948 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It began on March 18, 1948, and ended with the championship game on March 20...
(the first NCAA title), 1951
1951 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1951 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It began on March 15, 1951, and ended with the championship game on March 17...
, 1952
1952 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
-External links:*...
, 1953
1953 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
-External links:*...
, 1955
1955 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1955 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey.it started on March 10, 1955-March 11, 1955. The National Championship game was on March 12, 1955. A total of...
, 1956
1956 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1956 NCAA Men's Division Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It started on March 15, 1956 to March 16, 1956. The National Championship Game was on March 17, 1956. A total of 4...
. His teams reached the Frozen Four in each of the first ten seasons it was held.
In 1954 he received the Spencer Penrose Award
Spencer Penrose Award
The Spencer Penrose Award is awarded yearly to the top coach in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey by the American Hockey Coaches Association.The finalists for each year's award comprise the conference Coach of the Year winners from each Division I men's ice hockey conference, plus the coaches of the...
from the American Hockey Coaches Association
American Hockey Coaches Association
The American Hockey Coaches Association was formed in 1947 in Boston. The founding members coached college ice hockey but membership has grown to include coaches at every level of the sport from youth hockey to professional ice hockey, although the organization maintains a focus on the collegiate...
as the University Division Coach of the Year. Heyliger had an overall Michigan record of 228–61–13. After coaching the U.S. national team in 1966, he coached at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
from 1966–74, where he was 85–77–3.
He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
United States Hockey Hall of Fame
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with the goal of preserving the rich history of the game in the United States while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of select players, coaches, administrators, officials and teams....
in its second class of inductees in 1974. In 1988 he was awarded the John MacInnes Award by the AHCA, an honor which recognizes those individuals who have displayed an interest in amateur hockey and youth programs, as well as fostering high graduation rates among their players.
He died at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, aged 94.
See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorUniversity of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorThe University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
- List of college men's ice hockey coaches with 300 career wins