April 12, 2010
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Former Miami captain and assistant coach Chris Bergeron has been named Head Ice Hockey Coach at Bowling Green State University, BGSU officials announced this morning. After completing his playing career as a RedHawk and in the professional ranks, Bergeron spent 10 years behind the Miami bench.

"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."

A native of Wallaceburg, Ontario, Bergeron arrived in Oxford as a freshman in 1989 and helped build the foundation for the RedHawks' current success. After two losing seasons, including a 5-29-3 record during his sophomore campaign, he was named a team captain for the next two years. In 1992-93 -- his senior season -- Miami registered 27 wins and its first-ever CCHA Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Bergeron tallied a team-high 61 points that year (21 goals and 40 assists) and still ranks in the Top 25 all-time with 120 career points (48 goals, 72 assists). Along with his offensive achievements, the four-year letterwinner was also named the CCHA's Best Defensive Forward as well as Miami's Most Outstanding Senior.

Following his collegiate career, Bergeron spent seven years playing in the professional ranks, making stops with the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL), the Birmingham Bulls (ECHL), the Toledo Storm (ECHL), the Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL) and the Columbus Cottonmouths (CHL). He was named a league all-star four times before moving to the coaching ranks.

Bergeron rejoined former teammate and current RedHawk head coach Enrico Blasi prior to the 2000-01 season. Over the next 10 years, they teamed for 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 RedHawks earned All-CCHA accolades and over the last four 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.

"We are extremely excited for Chris and his family as it is a great opportunity for him," Blasi said. "He will always be a big part of Miami. For 10 years, he helped Miami build to the success we have had in recent years."

"Chris was a great captain during his days as a student-athlete and a great leader as an assistant coach," Miami Director of Athletics Brad Bates added. "His leadership has been a big part of our program."

A 1993 graduate of Miami University with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Bergeron is married to Janis and the couple has two sons, Logan (9) and Connor (6). He is the second former Miami assistant to be named head coach at a CCHA member institution in the last week, joining Western Michigan University's new leader, Jeff Blashill.