This has been a rough start to the season for the Huskies. This team, which was highly touted in pre-season assessments, got off to a disappointing start going 0-4-3 in their first seven games and never scoring more than two goals in any of those games. They showed signs of recovering going on a 3-1-0 run before collapsing Saturday night against Bemidji State. Now, a very significant allegation of the cultural problems in the locker room has emerged and we have been trying to wrap our heads around it while Michigan Tech conducts its investigation.
Patriks Marcinkevics, an offensively talented transfer from Long Island University, abruptly removed his personal effects from the Tech locker room and reports emerged in the media that, “He’s left the team to pursue professional opportunities in Europe.” In fact, Tech Hockey Guide learned directly from Marcinkevics that he is “taking a break” from the team and from head coach Joe Shawhan. Indeed, Marcinkevics has remained enrolled and has reported his concerns to the university. According to posts on his Instagam account, Marcinkevics made the trip to Bemidji to confront Coach Shawhan about his conduct and released an audio recording of a conversation between them. We believe the recording occurred some time on Monday, October 23, 2023. Marcinkevics is currently in the Duluth, Minnesota area staying with his former billet family.
Over the last two weeks, the staff at Tech Hockey Guide has had communication with Marcinkevics. We have attempted to verify some things stated outside of the recording and been unable to at this time.
Because hockey in general has a widespread and well-publicized problem with verbal and mental cruelty, this is an important story. Just before the season started, an alleged hazing problem was reported in Bowling Green State University’s hockey program, and that has caused three players to be suspended while coach Ty Eigner was also suspended for several games. UPDATE: As of October 14, 2003, Bowling Green Police release their report, concluding that no hazing charges have been warranted.
And, here at THG, we are not going to turn a blind eye to this situation with Marcinkevics. At the same time, we want to be sure that we do not create additional possible injustices with any information that we might publicize in any way—via articles on our website or through our Chasing MacNaughton podcast.
So we need to ask you, our readers, to trust us. We are and have been aware of this story, but we also want to make sure that our reporting on it is correct. Ultimately, this is the kind of story that we don’t often see made public in NCAA hockey: one that will almost certainly impact somebody’s career. These stories aren’t easy to report—there’s often little concrete evidence to support either side and sources don’t want to say things for fear of retaliation—so this very well may be a long process and we aren’t going to discuss it much until we have something concrete to report, but know that we are working on it.
Michigan Tech Statement:
Michigan Tech is aware of the concerns from former player Marcinkevics. We follow established university review procedures in such instances which could include interviews of students and employees conducted by university general counsel. While this review has been completed, federal FERPA student protections laws preclude us from commenting on any specific circumstances.
NOTE: Since this article was originally published it has been updated to include Michigan Tech’s statement, Macinkevic’s updated location and an update on the alleged hazing problem at BGSU since the Police report was released.
Mike Anleitner is a 1972 Michigan Tech grad, and he was in the first class of what has become the Scientific & Technical Communications program. He also has an engineering degree from Wayne State and an MBA from Michigan-Ross. He spent forty seven years in various manufacturing and engineering positions, and is currently a semi-retired freelance engineer. He lives during the fall and winter with his wife of 49 years Carol–also a ’72 Tech grad–in Addison, TX, a Dallas suburb with more restaurants per capita than any other municipality in the US. During the summer, Mike and Carol reside in Elmira, MI and avoid the Texas heat.
Based on historical evidence, until proven otherwise, I already know who I believe. This is not good for the program at all and explains so much about the poor start to a highly anticipated season.
Thank you for your comment. When and if we can add to this, while upholding the high journalistic standards we aspire to, we will.
Sounds like a player who didn’t get as much playing time as he would like. This story has absolutely no credibility and as a “journalist” you should be ashamed.
Reporting allegations is not inconsistent with journalistic standards. This is in fact, bad journalism.
This whole thing is a farce, and is in no way factual. It’s a player who left. I could repeat allegations made against him, but that would be unethical and bad journalism, now wouldn’t it. Reporting unfounded allegations is ridiculous. Yes, Tech should indeed look in to this. Question: How is there a RECORDING of a conversation if not the result of antagonism and baiting by the individual, if indeed the recording is true? QUESTION: Why would this individual go to Bemidji to confront Joe rather than right here? If it smells like crap, and from all sources sounds like crap, and history shows it to be crap, what is it?
Good move reserving judgement. Cold be an issue, could be that kids have been given participation trophies and told nothing but positive feedback and they can’t handle honest feedback.
Do your expect the NCAA and/or the CCHA to open Investigations. How soon would you expect this to happen?
How quick would you expect MTU’s investigation to take?
Do you believe Joe will comment on these allegations?
It’s done. And no. Joe will just coach. Perhaps I was wrong to suggest this should not have been brought up. But, as you can see, it called into question a good man’s character. Ever been a coach? It’s tough. Being screamed at by a kid will illicit a reaction from the best man, and I did not mention that the individual’s foster father confronted me in Bemidji, trying to make me react. Something was “off” and so I did not say a word, but would bet the phone was recording and a hidden voice recorder was running. It should be brought up to show that things happen and unfortunately in this world we live in, a good man is found guilty before any other measure. I have received a couple of hate messages. People shouldn’t do that. I have also received many positive messages. So, let’s get on with the rest of the season, and the next one, when we will have a full complement of people with experience, though we will indeed miss a great group at graduation.
I know this player well.
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