Nothing Gold Can Stay

Comrades, let’s take a moment to remember the center of our stick salutes, Dale “Hoagie” Haagenson.

Let me be clear, I didn’t know Hoagie that well. I’m not here to pretend that we were besties or anything, but to give my thoughts on him from where I stand on the periphery. My personal stories about Hoagie are limited to 1. times I was talking to Bruce and Hoagie stopped by to mess with Bruce and 2. chit-chatting with him at road games.

The last time I chatted with Hoagie was in the old St. Thomas arena. He came up to talk to Dan, Biddy, and me in the lobby between periods, as he wanted me to check some other scores for him. It didn’t matter that he didn’t know us very well, when Hoagie saw maroon and gold, he knew he was among friends (key exception being Gopher fans, obviously) and knew his celebrity status would mean he was instantly welcomed into any conversation.

So many stories about Hoagie focus on his positivity, kindness, and warmth, but Bruce Ciskie’s memories paint a picture of a guy who stirred up trouble, didn’t tolerate losing, and most importantly, messed with Bruce (while also insisting Mrs. Bruce make treats for him). Item #2 on Bruce’s list had me rolling!

Hoagie’s influence extends beyond UMD hockey – as our friend Dave from View Through My Lens reminded me, he was everywhere! Check the sideline at a UMD football game, there’s Hoagie. Dropping the puck at a Wilderness game? Hoagie. On the diamond at Wade Stadium: Hoagie. There are so many communities in Duluth who are missing part of their family. Hoagie was on the red carpet for many UMD hockey players on Senior Night (especially 5th year players); it was fun to hear Howie announce Hoagie alongside the rest of the parents.

There’s a GoFundMe established to cover the expenses of his celebration of life and contribute to the men’s hockey scholarship established in his name in 2006, for any of you out there looking to find a tangible way to memoralize him. My heart goes out to the folks in Hoagie’s inner circle who spent the last two months dealing with stress, worry, uncertainty, and grief while still finding opportunities to give Hoagie’s many fans and well-wishers updates via Caring Bridge.

Hoagie will live on as our hype man, pumping us up late in the game with his classic “LET’S GO” video. UMD men’s and women’s hockey got big wins tonight that would make him proud, as would the women who won gold, bronze, and silver medals in Milan (and the one man playing for bronze)! I still can’t help thinking how empty center ice will feel at the end of a sweep. We are all going to miss you, Hoags.