University of Minnesota Athletics
Glen Sonmor
9/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Glen Sonmor |
Sonmor grew up in Toronto where he played junior hockey from 1947-49. His professional hockey career started in 1949 with the Minneapolis Millers and ended with an eye injury in 1955 while playing for the Cleveland Barons. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, he coached the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League from 1957-58. For the next six years Sonmor taught physical education and coached high school hockey in Hamilton, Ontario. After coaching at Ohio State for one season Sonmor accepted an invitation to serve as the head coach of the Golden Gophers.
In five seasons behind the bench, he took the Maroon and Gold from a 9-21-0 overall record to conference champs. In the 1969-70 season, Sonmor led Minnesota to its first WCHA Championship in 16 years, completing the season with a 21-12-0 record. In the process, Sonmor was named the WCHA Coach of the Year.
The following season, Minnesota made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 10 years. Sonmor led the Golden Gophers to the national championship game where Boston University claimed the title with a 4-2 win.
During Sonmor’s time as head coach, attendance at Golden Gopher games rose 60 percent. Sonmor completed his years at Minnesota with a 78-80-6 record and coached three All-Americans: Gary Gambucci (1968), Murray McLachlan (1970), and Wally Olds (1970).
Sonmor left the Golden Gophers in 1971 and took the head coaching position with the St. Paul Fighting Saints in the upstart World Hockey Association. He returned to the NHL in 1978 when one of his former Golden Gopher assistant coaches, Lou Nanne, selected him to coach the Minnesota North Stars. He guided the North Stars on three different occasions from 1978-87, leading the club to its first Stanley Cup appearance against the New York Islanders in 1981
In 2001, Sonmor was named as one of the 50 most significant players and coaches in the history of University of Minnesota hockey. In October 2006, he was awarded the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, an annual award presented for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. This past February, the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department bestowed an honorary letter for the former head coach of the Golden Gophers.
A native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Sonmor continued his dedication to the sport with his work as color commentator for Golden Gopher broadcasts and a scout for the Minnesota Wild.
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