The following story was originally published on June 14, 2012.
Brad Berry still has his rubber pucks.
"I'll have to paint them green again," he said.
That's because the former UND player and assistant coach - known for teaching shot blocking, developing elite defensemen and winning over recruits with his down-to-earth personality - is coming back to the Sioux after spending the last two years coaching in the NHL.
Berry officially announced Wednesday his move from an assistant coaching position with the Columbus Blue Jackets to being an assistant at UND, a development that was expected since the school did not renew the contract of associate coach Cary Eades last month.
"Hopefully, I can incorporate some of the different levels of experience I went through over the last few years into an already successful program," said Berry, who also was an assistant coach with the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose since leaving UND in 2006.
Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol called Berry a "tremendous person, outstanding coach and resume, great resources for our guys and I'm really happy to be able to announce him, with his skill set, to add to our coaching staff."
Berry, who coached the Blue Jacket defense, will have the same responsibility at UND. Hakstol said no final decisions have been made about who will coach specialty team units.
Berry ran the penalty kill unit during his previous stint at UND, but assistant coach Dane Jackson took over those duties since 2006. Berry ran both the power play and penalty kill for the Blue Jackets.
"That's something we'll discuss," Hakstol said.
The current players - most of which are in town right now - were introduced to Berry in a team meeting Wednesday afternoon.
"The one thing you've heard so much about Brad is that he's done such a great job individually developing guys," defenseman Joe Gleason said. "Obviously with his resume, you can't argue with that and the guys he's put in the NHL I think a lot of guys are really excited about it."
Senior-to-be Andrew MacWilliam said he enjoyed working with Eades the last few years and also is looking forward to working with Berry.
"I'm excited to work with him and share some of his knowledge," MacWilliam said.
Berry said he has some familiarity with the team. He caught a few games on TV last season and also watched a few in person over the Christmas and All-Star breaks. He was part of recruiting one current player - forward Danny Kristo.
Berry, who coached recent Stanley Cup champion Matt Greene while at UND, said his familiarity with people and the program were attractive factors in his return.
"He's going to be a tremendous person for our guys to work with," Hakstol said.
Dave Hakstol:
- UND's Hakstol resigns , accepts job in Philadelphia; Brad Berry to become next head coach
- Flyers general manager says he wasn't going for "the popular choice" when picking new coach
Brad Berry:
- Brad Berry takes the reins
- From the Archives: Ex-UND player Brad Berry returns as assistant coach
- A Brad Berry biography
Reactions:
ADVERTISEMENT
- Players react to UND coaching change
- Boosters' expectations for UND hockey program remain
- The public ponders Dave Hakstol's move
Analysis:
- Brad Schlossman: Hakstol off to Philly , Berry takes reins
- Tom Miller: A wild Monday for hockey fans
- Wayne Nelson: No reason to wait on Berry hire
- Our Opinion: Hakstol's promotion speaks well of him - and UND
