He is also the longest serving men’s hockey coach in CIS history.

As for what he will miss foremost, Wise said it will be the interaction with the student-athletes between the ages of 19 to 25 and in assisting them on the ice and in the classroom.

“I’ve coached a lot of great kids,” he said. “You bring them in fresh out of junior hockey where they’ve been hockey oriented and you try to get them to balance athletics and academics and hopefully they will be successful at both.”

The highlights weren’t all on the ice.

“When you see kids graduate and become successful, whether it’s in hockey or another business altogether you see success,” he said.

“Success is different in any person. But it’s great to see a player you’ve coached maybe 10, 15 or 20 years ago and there’s a common bond.”

Joseph had a net full of praise.

”Graham has devoted over 35 years of his life to the sport of hockey and the mentorship of others. He has been a great contributor to our department and will be missed by the university and his colleagues,” he said in a school news release.

Wise hasn’t ruled out a comeback.

“The beauty of the game of hockey is that you can retire Sept. 1, step away from the game and if you miss it, the batteries are recharged and you can always step back in at any level,” he said.

“It’s a great game. It allows you to do it.”