ANN ARBOR– Among the beer leagues across Southeast Michigan a name is whispered in reverance. One would think the likes of Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, or Nick Lidstrom might be that name mentioned with awe and respect. Instead, that name is Ken Coleman.
Coleman rides off after “settlin’ things” for the Aventinus Family in North Coast
“He’s like a modern-day Teddy Roosevelt,” said a fan. “He speaks softly and carries a hockey stick.”
Not a man of many words, Coleman prefers to be heard by his actions. His latest exploits include an impromptu wrestling match with North Coast winger Darren Millmann, resulting in Coleman taking Millmann’s stick and reportedly attempting to score a goal with it. Instead, Coleman was assessed a holding penalty and told he had “to play with his own stick.”
“That’s what she said,” noted Michael Scott, formerly of Dunder-Mifflin.
As the legend goes, when Millmann attempted to get his stick back after hurling a few choice invectives, Coleman snapped the stick in half, smashing it through the scorer’s box (known as the “Ferguson tap” according to Urban Dictionary), then throwing it atop the scorer’s box.
“I thought I heard a growl,” said defenseman Jen Perry in hushed wonder.
Inspired, Ashley’s Aventinus completed the comeback after falling down by a goal in the second period with two goals in the third from Tom Colis and Jeff Meden to beat North Coast 2-1 Wednesday night and quickly get back into the win column.
Everyone agreed Coleman was the reason.
“I love playing with Kenny,” said Colis. “When I say ‘park in front of the goalie,’ he parks in front of the goalie.”
“He comes in, beats everyone on the other team up, then quietly slips into the sunset never to be seen again,” said GM Mark Woods. “Until the next game, of course.”