MINNEAPOLIS — One of the most successful hockey coaches in Minnesota history, Doug Woog, died Saturday after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
The South Saint Paul ice arena bears the name of one of the city's most famous sons, Doug Woog. Woog went from all-state high school to all-american college hockey player, then from teacher, counselor and coach at South St. Paul High School to head hockey coach of the Minnesota Gophers.
"We were lucky as a family, with that, because he never had to leave home," said his son Dan Woog.
For 14 seasons, "The Wooger" coached the Gophers Hockey team to 389 wins and six Frozen Four appearances. And he only recruited in Minnesota.
"He took a lot of pride in that. I think it just showed how much he cared about the Minnesota kids and wanted to give back," said Robb Stauber, one of Woog's best players who won the prestigious Hoby Baker award in 1988.
Woog and his wife Jan had three kids. His son Dan played for him, but says he received no favoritism.
"It was awesome. I would never trade it. But every day was like a tryout," Dan Woog said.
Dan said his dad loved the job so much that he wouldn't leave it, even for an opportunity that arose with the Minnesota North Stars.
"He turned that down. He liked to work with amateur kids. He liked to teach. He was a teacher," Dan Woog said.
Woog's only coaching regret was failing to bring home a national championship. And the U moved on in 1999.
But Woog continued to promote the hockey program.
"He had a great run. But the thing I remember most, instead of getting upset with the University, he went on to be a commentator, help Don Lucia recruit players, sold suites, he just handled it with class like he did everything in his life," said life-long friend Dave Metzer.
About 10 years ago, Woog started developing Parkinson's disease. Over the past few months, visitors lined up, including former Governor Tim Pawlenty, whom Woog once cut from the high school team.
"Even after being cut by Doug Woog, they still had a great relationship," laughed Metzer.
On Saturday, at age 75, one of Minnesota's hockey icons passed away, leaving behind a legacy the state of hockey will never forget.
"His legacy is how can a person be that successful on so many levels and be so humble and be such a good guy," Metzer said.
Woog was a renowned All-American athlete for the University of Minnesota Men's Hockey Team that was inducted into the U.S. hockey hall of fame in 2002.
"Coach Woog was one of a kind," says U of M Director of Athletics Mark Coyle in a press statement. "He had a huge heart, an engaging personality and everyone he encountered loved him. From playing to coaching to commenting, his impact on hockey, the Gophers and the state of Minnesota is immeasurable. To many, he is Gopher hockey. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time."
Woog coached an all-time record of 388-187-40 guiding the Gophers to an average of almost 28 wins per season, 6 NCAA Final Four appearances and seven league championships across his 14-year coaching career.
"Doug Woog bled Maroon and Gold as both a player and as a coach, and his legacy is one of the greatest in the history of the University of Minnesota," says Bob Motzko, current head coach of the Gopher's Men's Hockey Team. "Wooger's dedication and contributions to hockey in the state of Minnesota are immeasurable as are the number of people impacted by his lifetime of work. He will be remembered fondly by all and forgotten by none. We lost a true Minnesota treasure today."
Woog graduated from South St. Paul with all-state hockey honors for three straight years and played in four Minnesota State hockey tournaments.
In 2015, his fame led to the renaming of Wakota Arena as Doug Woog arena.