A Legacy Beyond the Ice – The Enduring Impact of Ed Gosek 

Beyond his professional record, Ed Gosek’s reputation is built on more than just box scores; it’s anchored in leadership and tireless devotion to those around him. Over the past 23 years, Gosek has left an imprint on the Oswego hockey community. Few people go out of their way for others, but Gosek consistently makes time to meet people at the arena, treating each person as if they are the most important guest.

That same selflessness extended beyond the rink through the advocacy work he shared with his late wife, Mary, during her battle with ovarian cancer. Together, they inspired traditions and community efforts that continue to impact Oswego today.

 “He gives the same sincerity to every single person, whether they are 5 or 85,” Kelly Cullinan said, box office manager and friend of Gosek.  

Taking care of the community has always been central to Gosek’s philanthropy. His commitment extends beyond the individual, encompassing the causes that matter most to the community. Whether it is an autograph, a hockey puck, or personally buying game tickets, Gosek never hesitates to support the people that have supported him and the program through the years. 

He often refers to it as “our program” and is constantly inviting people to build the fabric of the Oswego State hockey community. Gosek was defined by Cullinan as a gentleman and one of the most genuine people at heart. Living by the principles of faith, family, and what is best for the players. This means prioritizing the person over the performer, and acting with integrity, as a support system for his family, friends, and team. 

The people who flood the arena to watch hockey share the same joy and passion as Gosek, and that is a part of the legacy he is leaving behind. When fans enter the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and see Gosek, “their faces light up as if they have met a celebrity,” Cullinan said. 

His immense impact at SUNY Oswego has earned him the admiration of not only countless fans, but the men he coaches as well. “He raises the bar. The expectation is excellence, you are going to show up to practice, wearing your Laker gear with pride. That is the expectation he sets,”  said Cullinan. 

Every day is a chance to show up to practice wearing your Laker gear with pride.“To wear the Oswego State Laker Jersey is a privilege and with that comes an expectation from Gosek,” said Cullinan. 

Gosek strives to mold his players into respectable men, who will carry those traits and values after they leave campus. Gosek has been more than just a coach to the men’s ice hockey team. 

“Ed cares about us so much outside of the game of hockey. It’s always so nice to have somebody who you can rely on for anything,” said Brandon Milberg, a graduating goalie for the Oswego men’s ice hockey team. 

Marium Webster defines a father figure as a man in a higher position who provides guidance, emotional support, encouragement, and protection, serving as a positive role model for those to come.

Gosek took the men’s ice hockey team under his wing each year with a dedication you sometimes can’t find in other places. He made a difference on the ice and in the minds of players past and present. Not only has Gosek accomplished so much as a longtime hockey coach, on the ice, but his character stands out as well. 

Players often see Gosek as someone they can always count on. Whether they celebrate great wins or carry heavy losses together, he stands as a steady pillar of support for his team. His impact is not just built on accomplishments, but on the relationships with the players he coaches.

“Ed has always been someone to lean on for advice or just to share stories. Always teaches us to be good to others and do the right thing always,” Milberg said, having firsthand experience of having Gosek as a mentor during his time at Oswego. 

Through good times and bad, Gosek has been there for his team. The memories he makes with each player hold a special place in their hearts and minds. 

“I’d say my best memory with him was winning the SUNYAC. Also, teaching him what AI pictures are and how I could manipulate his face into anything I desired,” Milberg said. “Wishing him the absolute best in life after hockey. He left the program in a very good spot, and left an impact on everyone around the program.” 

This may seem like a goodbye, but it is simply turning the page into a different chapter of life for Gosek and the men’s hockey team. For many in the Oswego community, Gosek will be remembered not only for his accomplishments on the ice but also for his character off the ice as well. 

One man who knows Gosek’s character is men’s hockey public address announcer Mark Mirabito. Mirabito, also a psychology adjunct professor at the university, has known Gosek for a long time, and is embedded in Oswego’s culture. Mirabito described Gosek as “the kind of person who gives and gives. A great human being.” 

Mirabito has known Gosek for 46 years, first meeting him during the 1980 Winter Olympics after Gosek helped secure hockey tickets for Mirabito’s high school team. That trip ultimately became the unforgettable USA–Finland gold medal game during the famed “Miracle on Ice” run. 

Off the ice, Mirabito said Gosek’s greatest accomplishment was always his family. He recalled watching Ed and his late wife, Mary, raise “excellent students, ambitious, mature and respectful to all,” adding that “they should write a book on parenting.” The couple’s impact stretched far beyond hockey through their advocacy during Mary’s battle with ovarian cancer. 

Together, they helped establish traditions such as “Wear Teal on Tuesday”, where students wear teal colored clothing on Tuesdays in support of Mary, and those with ovarian cancer. They also supported organizations like Peaceful Remedies in Oswego, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with life altering illnesses or chronic conditions. Their efforts inspired the creation of “Mary’s Minute,” now one of the program’s most emotional minutes; a tradition where for the first minute of the hockey game the entire arena cheers for Mary and those fighting cancer. 

“Mary and Ed’s strength through the long ordeal was truly awe-inspiring,” Mirabito said. “To take the terrible hand dealt to them and use it to improve the lives of others never fails to amaze me.” 

As Gosek steps away from coaching, it is clear to those closest to him that his legacy will extend far beyond wins and championships, rooted instead in generosity, family, and the lasting impact he made on the people around him.