BG hockey coach gets 2-year extension

10/9/2012

BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University hockey coach Chris Bergeron has signed a twoyear contract extension through the 2017-18 season, the school announced Monday.

Bergeron was named the seventh head coach in program history on April 12, 2010 and has posted an overall record of 24–52–9 in his first two years.

“Chris has Bowling Green hockey headed in the right direction,” director of athletics Greg Christopher said. “There is still plenty of work to be done, but watching the strides our team has made off the ice, coupled with the on-ice improvement, it is clear we are building a championship culture. Chris is fully invested in Falcon hockey and I appreciate his leadership both within the program and within the larger athletics department.”

Under Bergeron, Bowling Green completed two Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament upsets on the road last year, defeating Northern Michigan and national runner-up Ferris State in a pair of best-twoout- of-three series to become the first No. 11 seed to ever reach the CCHA semifinals. The Falcons’ appearance at Joe Louis Arena marked their first trip to the CCHA semifinals in 11 years (2000-2001).

Bergeron completed his second season at the Falcons helm in 2011-12, leading BG to a 14-25-5 overall record, including a mark of 5-19-4 in conference play. Highlights of the season included the four postseason wins and a 5-5-0 record in the final 10 contests, including a victory over then-No. 3 Michigan. The team also recorded back-to-back shootout victories over then- No. 2 Ohio State in the latter stages of the season.

“I would like to thank President [Mary Ellen] Mazey, Greg Christopher and the entire athletic department for showing the confidence they have in our staff,” said Bergeron. “My family and I, as well as the Eigner and Schutte families [assistant coaches Ty Eigner and Barry Schutte], love being a part of the Bowling Green community, both on and off campus. We are all very excited about the future of Bowling Green hockey.” — John Wagner