After coaching Eau Claire Memorial for two decades, Mike Schwengler retired from coaching the Old Abes in 2017. Schwengler built the Old Abes into a powerhouse. He won two state championships, 13 sectional titles, 10 conference titles, and guided many players to higher levels, including professional hockey.

In 55 seasons of WIAA hockey, Schwengler is one of only four coaches to win WIAA Boys State Hockey with an undefeated team. Eau Claire Memorial’s 2008 state championship team finished with a 26-0 record.

This season marks Mike Schwengler’s ninth season with Team Wisconsin (TW). He joined the TW coaching staff shortly after retiring from Eau Claire Memorial. Schwengler shared, “My goal was to take a year off from coaching, but Larabell called, and they needed a coach for the U15 team. I coached the U15 team for one season, we went to nationals that first year and have been with the U18 team since.”

Prior to coaching, Mike Schwengler was an exceptional player at UW Eau Claire. He was two-time MVP of the Blugolds, named top freshman, All-American, All Conference, and was inducted into the UW Eau Claire Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Mike is really good at reading players’ strengths and communicating in a way that gets the most out of each one. He stresses the fundamentals, especially puck possession and passing. Mike can read the flow of the game and make quick decisions that put the team in a better position to win.” Mike McKersie, UW EC teammate, longtime youth & HS coach

Let’s hear from Mike Schwengler!

What was it like growing up in Medicine Hat, Alberta? I actually grew up in Burstall, Saskatchewan. I lived there for 10 years. It is a town of 400. We had an indoor rink and 4 sheets for curling.

How did you get into hockey? As a Canadian boy you have no choice. Every kid’s dream is playing in the NHL and watches Hockey Night in Canada.

What sports did you play growing up? Hockey and baseball. When hockey season was over, there was a month for a thaw and then we played baseball until September then hockey started. Medicine Hat was near Montana, so we played in the Montana American Legion League.

How did you end up in Wisconsin? I was 20 years old and playing for the Olds Grizzlys (Alberta Junior Hockey League) and Troy Ward (UW Eau Claire coach) asked if I was interested in coming down to play for UW Eau Claire. Ward asked me to visit, but I told him I didn’t need to. He asked if I knew where Eau Claire was. I told him No. It didn’t matter. It was an opportunity to keep playing.

You accepted Ward’s offer and went to UW Eau Claire? Yes. But I never got to play for Ward because he left for an assistant job at Denver.

How did you get into coaching? I had a chance to play (minor league pro) but I knew if I left, I wouldn’t get my degree. I promised my Mom I would get a degree, so I finished school and then did student teaching. I was a 25-year-old teacher and got a coaching job with Memorial and the Blugolds at the same time. I was Ian Perrin’s assistant for two years.

Fast forward to 2025 and you have coached for three decades! I am very fortunate to have an amazingly understanding wife, Barb. We had a lot of success at Memorial and now with Team Wisconsin. But what’s most important is that the players become good men. Good husbands and fathers.

Who are your coaching mentors? I can’t list just one. You take the good from them all and put it together. Doug Sauter a Junior coach in Medicine Hat. His communication, bench management. He didn’t yell or scream. I coach totally differently than I did 10 years ago.

What was your first team to coach? UW Eau Claire assisting Ian Perrin, and that season I was also JV coach at Memorial with Jim Roo.

You do broadcasts on TV/radio for hockey games…how did you get started with that? The legend Mike Sullivan after the 2013 state championship was interviewing me and asked me to help him with the broadcast for the Blugolds game against St. Johns that night. He needed a color commentator for the radio that night.

You do a good job on broadcasts. Thank you. Not at first. It took time. I have a funny story…The first broadcast Sullivan told me to add my comments when he was done speaking. Well, he just keeps talking and talking, then a commercial, and then he kept talking and talking. I didn’t say a word the entire first period. Sullivan looks at me and says he didn’t bring me here to do nothing. I replied, you told me to add comments when you stop talking…you have been talking non-stop so I couldn’t say anything!

What do you enjoy outside of hockey? I used to fish a lot. But when Madi (youngest child) went to college my wife and I took up golf together. We are going golfing this afternoon! It’s an activity we can do together. We also play pickleball. Barb was a tennis player in college (UW Eau Claire) and she is good.

Where is your dream vacation? We have been to Mexico four times. The first time was five years ago. Playa del Carmen. With a teacher’s schedule we go in summer for a week. We enjoy the food, the climate, and the people. It’s fun.

You are still teaching at Memorial? Not at Memorial. I teach Physical Education at an elementary school. This is my 31st year of teaching. I plan to retire after this year.

What is your favorite food? I am a pizza snob. Every Saturday night (When TW is in Twin Cities) we go to a place called Chanticlear in Maple Grove and get Frickle Pickle Pizza.

What is Frickle Pickle Pizza? It’s great. Larabell and I both get it. It has a spicy sauce and dehydrated pickles. It is not for everyone, but we love it.

Chocolate cake, brownie, or apple pie? Apple pie.

What advice do you have for kids that want to play after HS? The three things scouts look for…body language, coachability, and skating.

Mike Schwengler and his wife, Barb, reside in Eau Claire, and they have three children, Bret, Dawson, and Madi.

We salute Mike Schwengler for his three decades of coaching!

For information regarding the Team Wisconsin program: www.teamwisconsin.net For information regarding the league TW U18 plays in: www.hselitehockey.com

Yours for hockey, Matt Carey