DULUTH, Minn. — Legendary coach Mike Sertich, who helped lead the University of Minnesota-Duluth men's hockey to a national runner-up finish in 1984, died Thursday, according to university officials. He was 77.
Sertich spent majority of his coaching career at UMD, but also spent time as Michigan Tech's head coach, a volunteer coach at the College of St. Scholastica and an assistant with the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. According to release from UMD, he also volunteered with youth programs in Hermantown.
Sertich was born in Virginia, Minnesota and played defense for the Bulldogs from 1966-1969. His first coaching job was with Grand Rapids High School where he helped lead the team to state title in 1975. Sertich took over at UMD in 1982 and immediately led the Bulldogs to three consecutive NCAA appearances, including a runner-up finish in 1983-84. He was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year in his first three season, and was the American Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1983-84.
He finished his coaching career with a record of 350-328-44, and was inducted into the UMD Hall of Fame in 2005.
