Tragedy, failure and heartbreak have been defining characteristics in molding the highly successful 12-year tenure of a Schultz as the head coach for the SUNY Geneseo men’s hockey program.

Since being hired as the head coach prior to the start of the 2006-07 season, Schultz has led the Ice Knights to their most successful era in program history. Compiling two Frozen Four appearances, a SUNYAC title and the third most conference wins in that span, there is no question SUNY Geneseo has become one of the top Div. III men’s hockey programs in the country.

“Initially, I wasn’t sure if I even wanted the job,” Schultz said. “But they offered it, and after talking it over with my girlfriend at the time, now my wife, I took it.”

There have been three major events that have shaped Schultz’s tenure starting with their first run to the Frozen Four at the end of the 2013-14 season.

On their road to being one of the four teams remaining in the NCAA tournament, a heartbreaking loss gave Schultz an added motivation tool to propel his team to heights they had never seen before.

“It was one of the most extraordinary events you’ll ever see in college hockey,” Schultz said.

The Ice Knights hosted Oswego State on March 8, 2014, for the SUNYAC championship, and the Lakers won by a score of 7-6 after scoring the winning goal with just 29 seconds remaining.

“Sometimes, if those losses come at the right time, it can be beneficial,” said Oswego State men’s hockey coach Ed Gosek. “That loss gave them their second chance.”

SUNY Geneseo came off the heartbreaking loss to Oswego State and rattled off three straight wins until they fell 6-2 to St. Norbert College in the national semifinals.

Though Schultz and his team fell short of their goal of winning the national championship that year, they learned valuable lessons that they would carry with them through tumultuous times over the coming seasons.

On Jan. 17, 2016, Schultz would experience the most difficult event of his professional career following the murder of Matt Hutchinson, a senior defenseman.

“It was a life-changing event,” Schultz said. “I didn’t know how the team was going to be, I didn’t know how I was going to be.”

Following the shocking tragedy, the responsibilities for Schultz expanded from coaching to managing the emotions of his team and members of the SUNY Geneseo community.

“I didn’t care about wins and losses at that point,” Schultz said. “We just wanted to win for Hutch.”

Schultz’s composure through the weeks following the event garnered praise from his friendly rival, Gosek.

“I can’t imagine,” Gosek said. “Having to manage the grief and manage everyone else’s grief being the leader of the program. It isn’t until you’re sitting around one day by yourself, and it all hits you.”

In what could have been an easy situation for Schultz and his team to fold on the season and lose sight of hockey, they rallied to go on a historic run.

“We went on quite the run after he passed away,” Schultz said. “The boys just wanted to win for Hutch. They were so caring and passionate, and they would have done anything to make it right for him.”

The Ice Knights would win their first SUNYAC title since the 2005-06 season and reach their second Frozen Four in three seasons, which was the most successful season in program history.

“It’s fun getting to the top of the mountain, but it’s extremely difficult to stay there,” Gosek said. “For [Schultz] to do that, it’s impressive.”

Beyond his reputation as a great coach, Schultz has also developed a reputation as a great person among his SUNYAC coaching colleagues.

Oswego State assistant coach Jon Whitelaw, a former Laker, was recruited by Schultz and talked about how the SUNY Geneseo coach has helped him.

“He’s always been great with me,” Whitelaw said. “I know he’s done a great job over there. They’ve had some great success, brought in some great classes and made it to some Frozen Fours.”

In a span of a few years that has seen more heartbreak than most programs see in decades, Schultz and his team have risen beyond the trouble and established themselves as a national power.

Behind the veteran coach’s leadership, the SUNY Geneseo men’s hockey team is in a position to achieve success for years to come.

Graphic by: Ryan Zalduondo | The Oswegonian