From the frosty banks of Alaska to the humid wetlands of Florida, Brian Renfrew has followed his love for hockey across the United States.
Now, it looks like the well-traveled hockey coach finally has a home.
New MSU hockey assistant rewarded for 'job well done'
Exclusive interview with MSU hockey team’s newly promoted associate head coach Brian Renfrew, who goes in depth with sports reporter Alex DiFilippo on recruiting plans, bonds with players and Green and White pride.
After five years as an assistant coach for the MSU hockey team, head coach Rick Comley announced Friday the promotion of Renfrew to associate head coach.
“Look at my track and how quickly it’s gotten here, it doesn’t happen like this for a lot of guys,” Renfrew said. “I’ve been very fortunate.”
Renfrew, who will remain the program’s recruiting coordinator, has recruited and developed many of the players who’ve made MSU a CCHA powerhouse over the decade, including both Bryan and Jeff Lerg.
“I’m not sure if we would have the same success level if Brian hadn’t been here,” Comley said. “The promotion is an attempt to reward him for a job well done.”
Star goaltender Jeff Lerg credits Renfrew for bringing him to MSU and surrounding him with a national championship caliber team.
“I met coach Renfrew when I was 15 and he watched me ever since that,” Lerg said. “He relates to everyone on the team because he is a young coach and he’s played the game recently.”
Before making his way to MSU, Renfrew made many stops across the country as both a player and coach. He said he’s played in about 43 states.
Renfrew left Alaska to play collegiate hockey at Western Michigan, where he had 39 career victories as a goalie under coach Bill Wilkinson.
It was during his college years when he decided he wanted to become a coach.
“Maybe it was (Wilkinson’s) passion for the game but that really drew me into this profession,” Renfrew said.
After college, Renfrew bounced around the minor leagues for four years, but never got a real shot in the NHL.
In 2001, he moved back to the collegiate ranks to pursue his coaching career.
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He spent two years as an assistant coach for both Alaska and Northern Michigan, before Comley offered him a coaching position with MSU in 2003.
“From where I had been, (coming to MSU) was an easy choice,” Renfrew said.
Since arriving at MSU, he’s helped guide the Spartans to a national title, four NCAA tournament appearances, and an overall record of 119-71-22.
Eventually, Renfrew said he wants to become a head coach. Until then, he’s happy to be at MSU.
“If there ever becomes a time when I have to leave it’s going to be very difficult,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful experience and hopefully there are many more years to come.”
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