Bears appoint Bernard

POTSDAM — Chris Bernard is coming home.

The Brasher Falls native, St. Lawrence Central alum and former Clarkson hockey goalie was named the SUNY Potsdam men's ice hockey head coach Thursday.

"My most dear friends are there," Bernard said. "My best friend up there, I've known since kindergarten. It's just a marvelous time for me to reconnect."

Bernard won't have long to enjoy the reunion. He's inheriting a program from former coach Aaron Saul that hasn't had a winning season since 2002-03. He's not concerned, though.

"I think Aaron has left a sound foundation to build on and do my very best to advance," Bernard said. "We're going to set a goal of going out every single game and competing to the fullest of our potential. We have to understand the willingness to play committed, with discipline and integrity. If we're going to model those things, that's going to define our ability to be successful."

Saul left to take the head coaching position at Elmira College. Saul is a former Elmira assistant.

Bernard, a 1998 Clarkson graduate, played four seasons in net for the Golden Knights and went on to play six seasons of minor-league hockey in the United Hockey League and Central Hockey League before turning to coaching full time in 2004.

He was an assistant at Division I Canisius College during the 2005-06 season and took his first head coaching position with Western New England College in 2006-07, where he spent three seasons.

"I think the opportunity to have been a head coach and to test my knowledge and ideas has given me a lot of valuable experience I plan on using (at SUNY Potsdam)," he said. "It's a Division III program that has a rich tradition and history. It would enable a coach that is willing to work hard and produce find success."

He still needs to finish official paperwork and will likely be on a one-year contract with an option for extension, according to Bernard. He doesn't plan to leave anytime soon.

"I'm entirely committed to maximizing the potential of the program," he said. "I'm excited to start that quest among family and friends."

Bernard has a bachelor of science degree in technical communications from Clarkson and a Masters degree in sports administration from Canisius.

Bernard is married to wife Tracy and has two sons, Jaxon and Brandon.