The Selman Years

1981-82 LSSC was in search for a head coach for the fourth time in team history after parting ways with Rick Yeo following the 1980-81 season. LSSC found their man in the former head coach of rival St. Louis University Bill Selman. Selman left St. Louis after the school folder their team following the 1979-80 season, Selman coached the Dayton Gems in the International Hockey League during the 1980-81 season, but was looking for a job after the Gems also folded following his only season in Dayton. Selman’s first season didn’t go as well as could have been hoped for despite the addition of defenseman Chris Dahlquist and Chris Guy. LSSC traveled to Duluth Minnesota for the Jeno’s Holiday Classic over Christmas break beating Air Force 7-2 and Northeastern 7-4, before closing out the trip with a 3-3 tie against host Minnesota-Duluth. The Lakers finished the season 19-17-3 under Selman in 1980-81, including going 11-15-2 in the CCHA regular season. The Lakers where bounced from the CCHA playoff by Michigan State University due to goal differential after losing 9-1 in the opening game, despite winning the second game of the series 4-3. 1982-83 The 1982-83 season would prove to be a transitional season for the Lakers that would eventually lead the team to greatness. Several new faces associated with LSSC hockey showed up on campus in the fall of 1982, Allan Butler, Scott Johnson, Keith Martin, Nick Palumbo, and a young goaltender from Sault Ste. Marie named Joe Shawhan. Selman also brought in a new assistant coach named Frank Anzalone. LSSU went 5-7-0 in October and November of 1982, won their first 2 games in December before losing 6 straight games to close out the calendar year with a record of 7-13-0. It was at this time that Selman decided to leave coaching to join Anheuser-Busch in the founding of their sports-marketing department. Selman compiled a record of 26-30-3 while at Lake Superior State.