Bergeron Named Assistant Hockey Coach
5/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
OXFORD, Ohio (May 22)--Chris Bergeron has been selected as an assistant ice hockey coach at Miami University, head coach Enrico Blasi announced May 22. Bergeron was selected to replace David Smith, who left the team to pursue other opportunities in hockey.
Bergeron comes to Miami after playing professionally for the past seven years, including stints with the Adirondak Red Wings (AHL), the Birmingham Bulls (ECHL), the Toledo Storm (ECHL) and the Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL). For the past three seasons, he has spent time in dual rolls as a player and assistant coach with the Port Huron Bordercats of the United Hockey League (1998-2000) and the Columbus (Ga.) Cottonmouths (1997) of the Central Hockey League.
"I'm excited and thrilled to be returning to Miami and the CCHA," Bergeron says. "For the past few years, coaching has become a goal of mine and now to have a chance at doing it at my alma mater makes it that much more special. I am looking forward to working with such highly regarded individuals as Enrico, Joel Maturi and Steve Cady. Their experience and knowledge will only help make my transition that much easier."
Bergeron becomes the second member of Miami's current coaching staff to have played on the 1992-93 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) championship team, joining Head Coach Enrico Blasi. He helped Miami to its first conference crown and NCAA Tournament berth in 1992-93, scoring a team-high 61 points on 21 goals and 40 assists. Besides his offensive achievements, the four-year letterwinner was named the conference's Best Defensive Forward following the 1992-93 campaign. A 1993 graduate of Miami, Bergeron received his bachelor's degree in education.
"We are very happy to have Chris joining our staff," Blasi says. "Combining his passion and pride for Miami with his understanding of hockey and the CCHA, we know he will be an asset to our team. Being a former captain here and playing professionally for seven years, Chris will be a great reference to our players to show them what kind of effort it takes to succeed."
