Chris Bergeron Named Head Coach Of Bowling Green Hockey
April 12, 2010 | Ice Hockey
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What They Are Saying About Coach Bergeron
“Chris' passion, energy and commitment to excellence won us over,” Christopher said. “As a player he set the foundation for Miami's program, then as a coach he helped build the program to its current championship caliber. At every stage, Chris has been known as a tremendous leader. This is his time to step into a head coaching role and lead Bowling Green hockey to prominence.”
As an assistant coach at Miami since 2000, Bergeron was part of eight 20-win seasons and six trips to the NCAA Tournament. The RedHawks advanced to the Frozen Four in each of the past two seasons, playing in the national championship game during the 2008-09 campaign. Bergeron was heavily involved in the recruiting process, bringing in six players who would become All-Americans, and worked extensively with the team's forwards.
Under his guidance, nine forwards have earned all-CCHA accolades and over the last three seasons, Bergeron helped a trio land All-America honors. He was part of a staff that was honored with the CCHA Coach of the Year award four times (2000-01, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2009-10) and the AHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2005-06.
Bergeron played at Miami from 1989-93 and was a two-year team captain, leading the team to a CCHA Championship as a senior. He then spent seven years playing professionally before returning to Miami as an assistant coach. During that time, he played with the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL), the Birmingham Bulls (ECHL), the Toledo Storm (ECHL), the Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL) and the Columbus Cottonmouths (CHL), being named a league all-star four times.
Bowling Green's Bring Back The Glory campaign is designed to raise funds to endow hockey scholarships and for facility upgrades. The BG Ice Arena is already undergoing $4 million in renovations to upgrade the compressors, chillers and infrastructure.
“I'm very excited to be a part of putting Bowling Green back where it belongs in the hockey world,” Bergeron said. “My family and I are looking forward to becoming part of the Bowling Green community. What excites me the most, though, is seeing how hungry everyone is to make Bowling Green hockey successful again -- from Dr. Cartwright to Greg Christopher to everyone I talked to during the interview process.”
Bowling Green's history of success in hockey culminated with the NCAA Division I National Championship in 1984 after a 34-8-2 campaign. The program won at least 25 games eight times in a nine year stretch from 1981-1990 and has posted five other 25-win seasons in the 41-year history of the program. However, the team has not finished above .500 since 1996-97.
Bergeron takes over the program from interim Head Coach Dennis Williams, who was promoted to the position on June 30, 2009 after seven-year Head Coach Scott Paluch resigned to become a regional manager for USA Hockey's American Development Model.
Bergeron is married to Janis and the couple has two sons, Logan, age 9, and Connor, age 6.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH BERGERON
“Chris Bergeron has played a key role in Miami's hockey program growing in national prominence. He has proven to be an excellent recruiter and will bring great energy and passion to his role as head coach at Bowling Green. The future of BG hockey will be very bright under his leadership.”
Tom Anastos, CCHA Commissioner
"As a player, Chris was a very good leader for Miami when it was becoming a national power. He took his leadership abilities into his assistant coaching position and helped the program succeed even more. It's a very good hire and I have no doubt that Chris will help Bowling Green get back to the level they want to be at and are used to being at."
George Gwozdecky, Denver University head coach
(Bergeron's former head coach at Miami)
(Bergeron's former head coach at Miami)
"Chris has an incredible passion for the game. He can't wait to get to the ice every day. He has a genuine desire to help student-athletes develop on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community. Everything he does, he's going to do the right way. He's an outstanding recruiter and has a great understanding of the game. He understands the importance of leadership and what it means to a team."
Steve Cady, Senior Associate Athletic Director
and former Miami head coach
and former Miami head coach
"Bowling Green is in good shape with Chris at the helm. It's bittersweet for us because we're excited for him, but we are losing a big part of our program. His passion and commitment to the game makes him an excellent choice."
Enrico Blasi, head coach Miami RedHawks
"As alumni for Bowling Green, we will get behind Chris and be there for whatever he needs. To be successful, he's going to require that of us and we will be. He's been a part of the success at Miami and he has knowledge of what it takes to have a program at that level."
Garry Galley, BGSU Hall of Fame hockey player (1981-84)
BG Hockey : Kevin Piel w/Dennis Williams
Friday, April 25
BG HKY Postgame 3/15/25
Sunday, March 16
BG Hky Postgame 03.08
Sunday, March 09
BG Hky Postgame 3.7
Saturday, March 08