Former Friar new hockey coach at Holy Cross
Monday, June 23, 2014
Holy Cross has named former Providence Friar player and assistant coach David Berard as its new head men's ice hockey coach.
Berard has more than 20 years of collegiate hockey experience, including 16 seasons at his alma mater, Providence College. He also served as the interim head coach at the University of Connecticut for the majority of the 2012-2013 season.
"I am excited to welcome David Berard to Holy Cross and to have him join our outstanding team of coaches," said Crusaders' athletic director Nathan Pine, in a statement released via the school website. "His wealth of experience as a head coach, assistant and player along with his proven track record of success makes him the perfect person to lead Holy Cross men's ice hockey. I am certain that our program and our student-athletes will prosper under his guidance."
Berard also had three different stints on the hockey staff at Providence during his total of 16 seasons on Smith Hill, following his time spent at UConn. He was most recently the Friars coordinator of men's ice hockey operations in 2013-2014, overseeing all aspects of video breakdown for in-game analysis and opponent scouting. Throughout his career, Berard has also been heavily involved in player development for USA Hockey at the national, district and local levels.
"David brings a great level of experience not only as an assistant coach, but as a head coach in Atlantic Hockey," said current Providence coach Nate Leaman. "He's a terrific person and he's a terrific coach. We are sad to see him go, but at the same time we are happy for him to get this opportunity, because he's going to do a terrific job."
A goaltender in his playing days at Providence, Berard was a member of one of the most successful classes to wear a Friar uniform, amassing a total of 87 wins over their four-year career. Berard was a member of three teams that reached the Hockey East Tournament semifinals and two teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. He graduated from PC in 1992.
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