Tech (finally) gets its man

Michigan Tech announced on Friday that it hired alum and longtime Michigan assistant Mel Pearson as its new hockey coach. Pearson actually turned down the job 2 1/2 weeks ago before reconsidering and accepting the position. Pearson, 52, is a Vancouver native but grew up in Minnesota and played hockey at Edina. He played at Tech from 1977 to 1981 and was a professional for 15 seasons after that. Pearson has spent the last 23 years as an assistant coach at Michigan under legendary coach Red Berenson.