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Inspirational Story Of A 40-Year Hockey Coach

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Feb 25, 2008 7:00 pm US/Central

Inspirational Story Of A 40-Year Hockey Coach

Reporting
Mike Max
(WCCO)  Bruce Johnson has been coaching hockey for four decades at the high school and now college level.

He's also a family man, and that's why this winter has been a challenge.

In 1964, Johnson transferred to Augsbug College to play hockey, where he met a pioneering girls basketball player named Lois.

"I still remember the day that I met Lois. My sophomore year I transferred in from UMD, and she had already been here as a freshman, and we met on the steps of the quad," recalled Johnson.

They became an item, and Lois became his wife. Johnson became a high school hockey coach at Armstrong. They had three children and were married 38 for years, until November, when Johnson's best friend lost her battle with breast cancer.

"In the case of both Lois and I, it brought us closer together in ways that we wish we wouldn't have had to, but again feel blessed that we were able to do that," said Johnson.

He's back at Augsburg College for his second year as an assistant coach. It is there he finds another friend -- the sport he has coached in some form for 40 years.

"I've never had a bad day at the rink in 40 years. I mean, the kids, it's just, it's still fun being here, it's fun coming here, I look forward to it every day.

With family and faith he has coped, and he has learned life's most difficult lesson.


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