GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-  As the D1 hockey team travels to take on No. 9 Lindenwood this weekend we sat down with assistant coach Bill McSween. McSween, currently in his second season behind the bench for the Panthers, joined the Davenport coaching staff last season after a five year playing career at Davenport. McSween oversees the defense for the D1 hockey program.
 
What was your favorite memory from playing at Davenport? 

This is such a loaded question because there are so many good memories (some I can't talk about).  I can always say winning the championships, but the best memory I have from Davenport is all of the good people that I have met and become good friends with along the way.  Every team talks about the brotherhood that they have, but no team had a brotherhood like we did.  We were a close team off the ice and that translated to us having a good time on the ice.  No team had more fun than we did, and I wouldn't trade my college experience at Davenport with any other college experience.

Did you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions before a game as a player? Do you now as a coach?

I really didn't have many superstitions as a player or a coach.  My goal was to try not to miss warm up.  Coach Lowden would sometime have to chirp me before a big game to get me going a bit, but normally I didn't believe in superstitions.  I didn't get fired up before a game until Marc Lira started our pre-game chant which is still the best pre-game chant in the ACHA.  That chant would always get me ready and focused before the game.  As a coach, Eric Parrot makes sure that the song Call Me Maybe plays when I walk out for the first period.

Do you still play sports now?  

Yes, I play hockey every Wednesday night with a bunch of alumni hockey players from Davenport and some other friends.  The league is pretty tough, last week we lost to a couple of players I coached last year (Ben Dykstra-Jeff Slusser) because Chris Green is not used to playing more than two shifts in a game and DU's all time leading scorer (Bobby Collar)can't put a puck in the net.  It is a good time, and in the summer we play in a really competitive tournament at Patterson which is our only semblance of competitive hockey left for us.
  
Who has had the biggest impact on you in life? 

My parents have had the biggest impact on my life, my dad was voted into the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 and played hockey at Brown University in the 60's.  He was an All-American hockey player at Detroit Catholic Central, and currently  is a first round draft pick and is a dominate force in his over 60 hockey league.  He was parks and recreation director of Redford Township when he retired the Supervisor of Redford Township gave him his own day “June 24” which is celebrated by his family and friends each year.  My mom is known for being a saint for dealing with her 3 kids (Katie and Kelly) and husband.  She has helped teach with the hearing impaired and loves to work with kids.  She is the person who drove me to all of my sporting events and was always there for me when needed.  They have both become icons in Redford Township and great role models for us to live up to.

What are some of your career goals? 

I started coaching with my uncle, Don McSween, 8 years ago and he brought NHL experience to the bench.  I learned a lot from him since then. I think I'm best suited to coach at the Junior hockey level.  I played for four Jr A. teams and I think through my experiences I could make a good Jr. A coach.  I have a ways to go before I get there, but I think with my experiences and hockey pedigree I could eventually get there.

What does it mean to you to coach with Phil Sweeney? 

I really liked playing for Phil when I was a player here.  He is the type of coach that has confidence in his players and was a joy to play for.  He realizes that there is more to playing college hockey than the actual hockey part and allows players to take ownership of the team.  He was a really important addition to the coaching staff and we wouldn't have won national championships without him.  After my playing career we have become good friends and while he is a good coach he is a better person.  I enjoy helping out because he knows the game of hockey, is fun to be around, and has a passion for winning.  Each day I come to work lucky to work with a guy with those characteristics.

What is the best advice for a high school athlete looking to play in college (any sport)?  

If you're a good player it is important to go to a place that wants you.  To many players play for teams because of league affiliation or coaches reputation, but those teams are not sold on them.  It is important to play for a coach that has confidence in your abilities and is willing to work with you through your mistakes.  I played for four different coach's in two years in Junior A and was never able to gain traction while playing Juniors because of the mistake I made.  It is also important to stay confident in your abilities no matter how many times you get knocked down.

Favorites

Color :  Red
Food:  Mom's Spaghetti
Restaurant: Uccello's
Vacation spot: Las Vegas
Book or Movie: Book (The World is Flat); Movie (Forrest Gump-Shawshank Redemption-Good Will Hunting)
Hobby:  Golf
TV Show: College Football 
Sports Team:  Redwings or Tigers
Hockey Player:  My Dad