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Ian Hume was ‘fiercely loyal’ to Michigan hockey as its equipment manager for 33 years

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ANN ARBOR, MI – Ian Hume worked as University of Michigan ice hockey’s equipment manager for 33 years. He dealt with prostate cancer for the last few seasons, including April’s run to the Frozen Four.

Even in his last season on the job, he was perfecting the intricacies of his craft, from sharpening skates to sewing jerseys back together, said current equipment manager Jalen Stone. It was all for the hundreds of players that passed through Yost Ice Arena, Stone said.

“He dedicated 33 years of his life to Michigan hockey, and man, he loved these kids,” Stone said.

Hume died Thursday, Oct. 20, of prostate cancer. He was 64.

Michigan Hockey announced Hume’s death Friday, Oct. 21, on social media.

“Michigan Athletics is devastated to announce the passing of longtime equipment manager Ian Hume,” according to the post. “Rest in peace, Hums.”

Hume’s death led to an outpouring of support from the UM hockey community.

“He was a wonderful character,” former UM athletics spokesman Bruce Madej. wrote in a Twitter post. “May he RIP.”

UM historian John Bacon, who wrote the book “Blue Ice” on the history of UM hockey, said his friend Hume was “fiercely loyal” to those he thought “didn’t suffer fools.”

“I’m very sorry to learn of Ian’s passing,” Bacon wrote in a Twitter post. “The ‘Hummer’ was dedicated to the sport of hockey and the people who play, coach, and love it. He was funny and direct.”

Hume’s death came days before this year’s team traveled to Sault Ste. Marie for a series against Lake Superior State. Prior to Friday’s game, the home team led a moment of silence for Hume, which led to raw emotions from the UM players, Stone said.

“There’s definitely some sadness and some rawness there,” Stone said. “What I saw over the weekend was also just gratefulness for what Ian did for so long not just for the hockey program, but for the athletic department as a whole.”

Hume joined the hockey program for the 1989-90 season under head coach Red Berenson. He was on the sidelines to witness the resurgence of the UM program, seeing Berenson lead the Wolverines to two national titles and an additional nine Frozen Four’s.

Read more: See how the Michigan hockey sweater has evolved over 97 years

Hume continued his position with former head coach Mel Pearson in 2017, seeing the Wolverines snag two more Frozen Four berths.

Having trusted people like Hume in any program is so important to creating a positive culture, said current head coach Brandon Naurato. The current players loved him, Naurato said, and were emotional when they heard the news of his death on Friday.

“A group of guys went outside and led a prayer for him, which was pretty cool,” Naurato said. “Ian was a member of our family, and (his death) is tough (on us).”

Plans to honor Hume’s legacy this season are in the works, Naurato said

Stone, who came to Michigan in December 2019 from his home state of Mississippi, appreciated Hume for making Ann Arbor feel like home.

“Ian really took me in and was definitely a mentor to me in the profession,” Stone said.

Even when Hume’s cancer worsened during the last two months, he and his wife, as well as his dog Cody, would host their friends for dinner. Near the end, Hume remained focused on others, Stone said.

“He was a great example of selflessness,” Stone said.

It is inspiring how Hume lived out his remaining days in service to others, Naurato said.

“He wanted to do what he loved most,” Naurato said. “I think he wanted to do what he did every day for 33 years.”

Above the accomplishments on the ice, Hume valued the relationships with the myriad of people he met during his tenure at UM.

“Teams can change, personnel can change, people can change,” Hume said, according to the UM post announcing his death. “But it’s the relationships you build that last forever. I think that’s what’s unique about hockey.”

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