Bergeron Names Assistants; Adds Schutte and Eigner to Coaching Staff

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Hockey Coach Chris Bergeron has announced the hiring of two assistant coaches for the 2010-11 season -- Ty Eigner and Barry Schutte. Eigner adds BGSU ties to the coaching staff as a former captain for the Falcons and Schutte brings a wealth of coaching experience.

Eigner leaves his role as the associate head coach of the Minnesota AA state champion Eden Prairie High School hockey program to join Bergeron and the Falcons. He held that position for two years while also involving himself with various USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey programs since 2005. Eigner brings 14 years of coaching and administrative experience to the Falcons, in addition to a three-year professional playing career.

“Ty's passion for coaching for Bowling Green State University is what set him apart,” said Bergeron. “He led this program as a captain and we are excited for him to lead again as a coach.”

Between 1996 and 2008, Eigner led two Minnesota high school hockey programs, receiving recognition as an outstanding head coach at both stops. Between 1996 and 1999 he headed the Rosemount High School (Rosemount, Minn.) hockey program and was named the Section 5AA Coach of the Year after the 1997-98 season. In 1999, Eigner moved on to coach Brainerd High School (Brainerd, Minn.). After the 2005-06 season he was named the Section 7AA Coach of the Year and in 2008 awarded the Dave Peterson Award by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association.

After the 2007-08 season, Eigner was named the Associate Head Coach for Eden Prairie High School hockey and last season was named the 2009 State AA Coach of the Year. Over his 14 year coaching career, Eigner has seen 30 of his players move on to play collegiate or junior hockey and has seen two players go on to play in the NHL. In 2009, he coached Eden Prairie's Nick Leddy, who was selected 16th overall in the 2009 NHL Amateur Draft. Another former player of Eigner's, Carl Sneep, helped Boston College to a national title and recently signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I am really excited the opportunity to come back to Bowling Green. It means a lot to my wife, my children and I,” said Eigner. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with Chris and Barry. Their goals and thoughts go along with a lot of my own. I'd like to help keep feeding into the amount of passion that people have for Bowling Green hockey.”

From 1999 to 2008, Eigner has served as a full-time instructor for Minnesota Hockey Camps as well as the Hockey Director for the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association. He also coached and evaluated within USA Hockey 15 & 17 National camps, a position held since 2005.

Eigner is a 1993 graduate of Bowling Green State University and had a full career wearing Brown and Orange under Jerry York from 1988-93. Playing right wing, the Apple Valley, Minn. native appeared in 123 games, scoring four goals and nine assists. Eigner served as captain during the 1992-93 season and led the team to an 11-game turnaround and a five-game improvement in conference play from the season before.

Schutte follows Bergeron from Miami into Falcon Country after making Oxford his home for 13 of the last 17 years. After graduating from Miami in 1997, Schutte returned in 1999 as a part of the University faculty. While teaching, he served as Associate Director for the Miami University Hockey School through 2003 while both managing and coaching the university club hockey team. He led the club hockey team to its first ever National Championship during that time.

Bergeron said of Schutte, “Barry is a great example and leader for our players. His experience in the CCHA and USHL make him a great addition to our staff.”

In 2001, Schutte began volunteering as an assistant coach for the varsity squad and spent three seasons assisting in the turn-around of the program. After spending two seasons as the associate head coach and general manager of the Chicago Steel (USHL), he returned to Oxford for his second stint working inside the home of RedHawk hockey, the Goggin Ice Arena. Schutte compiled nine years as a key component in the Goggin Center's success. From 1999 to 2003 he was the assistant director of the arena and upon his return in 2005, Schutte served as the Director of Goggin Ice Arena. In 2007 he was also named the Senior Director of Recreational Auxiliaries.

“I am very excited and grateful to Coach Bergeron, the BGSU hockey community and the BGSU Athletic Department to give me this opportunity,” said Schutte. “There is nothing but quality people associated with the program and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”

Since his return to Miami in 2005, the RedHawks have compiled a 135-52-21 overall record, five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, two regular-season CCHA championships and advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four each of the last two seasons.

The Falcons will look ahead to the 2010-11 season where they are set to return four seniors, including alternate captain David Solway and 17 letterwinners from a season ago.

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