The sign of a truly great program or organization at any level is when your assistant coaches start getting head coaching positions. Well Miami University has been at or near the top of the college hockey landscape for the last 5 or 6 years now and show no signs of letting up. Making back to back frozen fours doesn't hurt either. Head coach Enrico Blasi has truly built something special and he didn't do it alone. Two years ago assistant coach Jeff Blashill left to take a head coaching position at the junior ranks hoping to spring board it into something bigger and he has. Coach Blashill who was the defensive coach has now been hired at Western Michigan University to lead their program. It doesn't stop their. Former Miami captain and standout player Chris Bergeron, too, has gotten an opportunity after being an assistant at Miami for 10 yrs he now has been hired to lead Bowling Green State Universities hockey program. Both coaches have had intricate roles in helping build Miami's program to where it is today. I am extremely happy for both guys who couldn't be any nicer. I wish them well on their new adventures, except when they play Miami.
The search for Miami is on for another assistant coach. They have a definite appeal to someone who is looking to further their career and I have no doubt hundreds of applications will come in. A couple names I will throw out as great candidates are Brian Vickers, who currently works with the program, and was an assistant at Denver under George Gwozdecky. Another candidate is former Ohio St. head coach John Markell, who is a great recruiter and might flourish in this type of role, and former Miami player and Stanley cup winner Kevin Adams. Adams has been seen around the program a lot since retiring from the NHL and if coaching is a direction he might be interested in this would be a great spot to start. Adams already knows the school, tradition, and having played with current head coach Enrico Blasi while at Miami.
Stay tuned, the off season may of just started but things will certainly heat up over the next month or so.
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