Mavericks Fill 2 Staff Positions
Aug 24, 2007 | Hockey
University of Nebraska at Omaha head coach Mike Kemp announced today that he has filled two spots on his hockey staff for the new season. Former Maverick Dave Noel-Bernier will return to become the team's director of hockey operations and former first-round NHL draft pick David Wilkie will join the staff as a volunteer coach.
Noel-Bernier, who played at UNO from 1997-2001, replaces Nick Fohr, who is now an assistant coach for the Mavericks. Wilkie, who played for three National Hockey League teams, replaces Rob Facca, who is now on the staff at Northern Michigan. Fohr, who served as the director of operations for three seasons, replaced Doc DelCastillo, who became the head coach at Alaska in June.
"These are two great additions to our staff," Kemp said. "They both bring us very unique skills and a wealth of hockey experience."
Noel-Bernier, a native of Montmagny, Quebec, played 138 games over four seasons, scoring 24 goals and 26 assists. He was a member of Kemp's first Maverick recruiting class, signing a letter of intent in November, 1996. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from UNO in 2001 and then went on to play four seasons of professional hockey in Germany. He played the past two seasons for Muskegon in the United Hockey League.
Wilkie, from Ellensburg, Wash., was drafted as a defenseman by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, 20th overall, in 1992. He spent parts of three seasons with Montreal, two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and appeared briefly with the New York Rangers. He went on to spend two seasons, 2001-03, as the head coach and general manager with Augusta in the East Coast Hockey League.
Wilkie became a scout for the Nashville Predators and moved back to Omaha to be closer to his three children, Christopher, McKenna and Colton three years ago. He also served as the coaching director for the Gladiators hockey program.
Noel-Bernier, who played at UNO from 1997-2001, replaces Nick Fohr, who is now an assistant coach for the Mavericks. Wilkie, who played for three National Hockey League teams, replaces Rob Facca, who is now on the staff at Northern Michigan. Fohr, who served as the director of operations for three seasons, replaced Doc DelCastillo, who became the head coach at Alaska in June.
"These are two great additions to our staff," Kemp said. "They both bring us very unique skills and a wealth of hockey experience."
Noel-Bernier, a native of Montmagny, Quebec, played 138 games over four seasons, scoring 24 goals and 26 assists. He was a member of Kemp's first Maverick recruiting class, signing a letter of intent in November, 1996. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from UNO in 2001 and then went on to play four seasons of professional hockey in Germany. He played the past two seasons for Muskegon in the United Hockey League.
Wilkie, from Ellensburg, Wash., was drafted as a defenseman by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, 20th overall, in 1992. He spent parts of three seasons with Montreal, two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and appeared briefly with the New York Rangers. He went on to spend two seasons, 2001-03, as the head coach and general manager with Augusta in the East Coast Hockey League.
Wilkie became a scout for the Nashville Predators and moved back to Omaha to be closer to his three children, Christopher, McKenna and Colton three years ago. He also served as the coaching director for the Gladiators hockey program.
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