EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard added experience behind the bench by hiring Serge Bernier as an assistant coach.
Bernier will team up with the other assistant coach, Mathieu Martin, and head coach Ryan Salvis.
“We are very happy to have Serge join our team for the remainder of the season and he brings a lot of energy, passion and hockey knowledge that will help with the development of our players,” explained Salvis. He will be on the bench with Marty and I and will be able to give instant feedback to players with teaching points while Marty and I continue to focus on matchups and adjustments that need to be made. As a coach it’s nice to have a fresh pair of eyes with us and we will be able to learn from one another and the team will benefit from this addition to our coaching staff.”
Serge Bernier is a well-known figure in the Northwest region. Since 2007, he acted as a head coach for eight seasons in the Regional Hockey League composed of senior teams. He led the Saint-Jacques Ambassadors to two playoff championship victories (2009 and 2015). He also served for several years as head coach of development programs in minor hockey. And he coached for teams in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec.
“I want to bring my experience both in hockey and on a personal level to the team,” explained Serge Bernier. I join two excellent coaches in Ryan and Mathieu. Combining our knowledge will result in having a stronger team. I want the players of this team to play hard at every game to get to the playoffs with a winning attitude. I will not hide the fact that my ultimate goal is a championship. In terms of caliber, I know it pretty well because my son, Francis, played for four seasons in this league, with the Campbellton Tigers and the Dieppe Commandos. Being from Edmundston, it’s an honor to join the Blizzard!”
The Blizzard (25-6-3-0) has 16 games to play by the conclusion of the regular season. Ten of these games will be played on opposing rinks. Edmundston is geting prepared to play possibly three of its most intensed games of the season. And these three upcoming games will be played on the road. The Blizzard will face South Shore (22-10-1-1) on Friday Jan. 19, Yarmouth (23-9-1-0) on Saturday, Jan. 20 and Summerside (20-12-1-0) on Thursday, Jan. 25.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone