Pletsch: A hat trick of observations, including Mac Bennett’s musical alter ego
By Fred Pletsch –
A hat trick of observations and anecdotes as Big Ten Hockey heads into the stretch run of its inaugural season.
And the award goes to…
Mac Bennett might be the league’s MISA (Most Interesting Student-Athlete) if there were such an honor.
On the ice, the Michigan defenseman is flourishing with exactly the type of stellar season that coach Red Berenson expects of his seniors. The 84th captain in team history leads the blue-liners in plus/minus (+11), points from the back-end (two goals and 14 assists), is second in blocked shots (43) and has been whistled for just four minor penalties while mentoring 18-year old freshman partner Michael Downing on a shutdown tandem. He was injured last weekend and is listed as week-to-week, but he should be back soon for the Wolverines.
Away from the rink, the Montreal Canadiens draft pick is humming along in pursuit of a degree in Musicology from the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. He took drum lessons for four years as a youngster growing up in Narragansett, (second- best place name in the state behind Woonsocket – home of former Red Wings defenseman Mathieu Schneider) Rhode Island, taught himself how to play the guitar in prep school and, as a college senior, is taking both piano and voice lessons.
His musically inclined alter ego is Beats.0 , both named and inspired by former teammate Charles ‘Scooter’ Vaughan, who moonlighted as a house-party disc jockey around campus when Bennett was a freshman and Vaughan a senior. Mix-master Mac’s repertoire covers the spectrum with original compositions, techno/electronic, disco, progressive, indie, and even a little country. (For a sampling, check out www.soundcloud.com/beats_0.)
He keeps the two vocations separate as Beats.0 is a means for captain Mac to ‘de-stress’ from the physical and emotional rigors of hockey. But just like Adele sings “Rumor Has It” the twain could soon meet with Beat.0’s plans to get some Michigan hockey players outside on a pond to ‘mic up’ some skates, sticks, crossbars, shin pads and helmets for an inimitable “Sounds of the Game” compilation like you will have never heard before.
And to cap the MISA consideration, we haven’t even mentioned Bennett’s yeoman community service work. He’s a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, which is based on achievements in four notable areas – community, classroom, character and competition.
You want to do what?…
Sounds of the Game reminds me of my favorite story from the CCHA on Fox Sports Detroit. Producer Rob Allaer (who is now in charge of Tampa Bay Lightning telecasts) asked me if we could put a microphone on a goalie when Alaska played at Michigan State. The request was relayed to (then) coach Guy Gadowsky, the current architect of Penn State’s nascent program, who responded in the affirmative with one caveat.
“Better let me check with Lance (Mayes). You know how goalies are!”
Technology was different a decade ago and the microphonic contraption included a large, black battery pack/transmitter, about the size of a puck – but square, that had to be duct-taped to a player’s shoulder pads or, in the case of goalie, the part of the chest protector that wrapped around his back.
The first period produced harmony on ice but during a goal-mouth scramble early in the second frame Mayes acrobatically lunged across the crease and the combination of athleticism, sweat and ice shavings caused an un-sticky situation. The battery pack/transmitter popped loose and a defenseman guarding the Nanooks’ goal, thinking it was the puck, instinctively fired it up the ice. Soon thereafter as the play transitioned toward Michigan State territory, a linesman skated almost directly over the device, severing the rubber-encased transmission wire that was attached to it like a mouse’s tail. In-game sound – over and out!
“Houston, we have a problem,” is the line I remember from the production truck, a bit of an inside joke as all transmissions in the Fox family emanate from their commercial facility in Texas.
No ordinary Joe…
Spartan freshman Joe Cox is a case study in dedication, determination and perseverance.
It was the final week of regular-season play for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks last April when the Chelsea, Michigan native suffered the trifecta of knee injuries, tearing his ACL and MCL ligaments, along with shredding the medial meniscus cartilage. Pain and doubt (about his college future) became his linemates while the ‘Jacks prepared for the playoffs.
Fortunately, Cox had three extraordinarily key factors working in his favor. Firstly, the unwavering support of the Michigan State staff, including the surgeon who operated on him. Secondly, his mother Lori is a physiotherapist and provided round-the-clock professional care. Thirdly, his father relentlessly prevailed upon him with a drill-sergeant mentality, which is not surprising considering Jesse spent 22 years in the U.S. Army.
“My dad had everything in my rehab charted out,” says the unassuming 20-year old forward. “There were goals and deadlines for range-of-motion, strength and weight loads.”
What’s the old saying? If it was easy, everybody could do it.
Coach Tom Anastos has praised Cox as being as consistent a performer as the Spartans have had this season. He has played in every game and leads his freshman class in scoring.
Good things happen to good people. Talk to Joe Cox for five minutes and you know he’s one for sure.
Fred Pletsch, the former CCHA and NAHL commissioner, is a ‘Frozen Friday’broadcaster with the Big Ten Network. Follow him on Twitter at @PletscHockey.