The Cornell Big Red men's ice hockey team competes against Denver on March 23, 2023 at SNHU Arena in Manchester, N.H.

A Trivia Tribute to Coach Schafer

As Mike Schafer ’86 retires from men’s ice hockey, we dedicate 10 questions—plus one for extra credit!—to his life and career

Top: Schafer at a 2023 NCAA semifinals game against Denver in Manchester, NH. (Matt Dewkett / Cornell Athletics)

Published April 8, 2025


Comments

  1. Tom, Class of 1971

    He did not approve of “ringing the puck (dad’s advice).
    Super career!

  2. Dave Wohlhueter

    I got 9 out of 10 correct. I can’t believe he had [so many] points! Dave Wohlhueter [Response edited by Cornellians staff to avoid spoilers. 😉 ]

    • Suzanne Snedeker, Class of 1978

      Hey, Dave, I got 9/11 correct, too. We moved to Ithaca the year Schaf became coach in 1995 and have been season ticket holders for all of his 30 years!

  3. Scott Brind

    I was standing behind the Zamboni doors one game and Mike put a guy through the glass. I got home and took off my coat and 3 chunks of glass came out. I was also at the game where he [comment redacted by Cornellians staff to avoid quiz spoilers! 😉 ]. 10 minutes later, Cornell was down 4-0. Coach Reycroft pulled Donnie Fawcett and put in Jim Edmonds. Cornell won 6-5 in overtime. Lynah was never louder than that night.

  4. Mark Burdyl, Class of 1979

    I got 10 of 11 correct! So much respect for Coach Shafer’s career at Cornell…A third national title still eludes since Harkness, but Schafer rebuilt the’Big Red’ brand into a consistently formidable force, both in the ECAC & nationally! And then there is ‘what could have been’ as the nationally ranked #1 team interrupted by the Covid shutdown. But he brought us back to the brink of the Frozen Four this season with an ECAC championship, a thrilling win over [comment redacted by Cornellians staff to avoid quiz spoilers! 😉 ]. a dandy of a game vs. BU. Retire with a big smile & great memories, Coach Shafer! We raise a mug 🍺 to you!! I always enjoyed playing in his golf tournaments too! Congrats on a super career!

  5. Tom Malone, Class of 1987

    The “Kill Schaf Kill” chant was electric in the ‘80’s

  6. Marty Lynch, Class of 1982

    Shafe is a class act. Thanks for representing the university so well over the years. We were so lucky to have you!

  7. Lila Olson

    8 out of 11…Not bad for an 83 yr. old who never saw a hockey game until she came to Cornell!

  8. Anne Paulin, Class of 1987

    What did the Lynah Rink crowd cheer whenever Schafer made a particularly impressive defensive move?
    .
    .
    .
    Kill, Schafer, Kill!

  9. Roman Schwartsman, Class of 1986

    There was a legendary moment during the Harvard game in ’85 or ’86 when Harvard was destroying Cornell at home and Schafer was being mercilessly taunted by Harvard coach Bill Cleary, Schafer took a snapshot at the Harvard bench, barely missing Cleary. The benches cleared and there was pandamonium with fish and anything else raining down onto the ice. Harvard showed no class in that win and enough was enough! Thanks for that memory Schafe!

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