North Dakota wasted little time naming a replacement after men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced he was taking the job as Philadelphia Flyers head coach. UND quickly tapped assistant Brad Berry to be the school's 16th coach, announcing the move at a news conference on Monday afternoon at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Berry, a former North Dakota player, has served nine years as a UND assistant during two stints, including the past three seasons under Hakstol. Berry, who was in charge of the team's defensemen, helped lead the program to eight NCAA tournament appearances, five NCAA Frozen Four berths, three regular-season conference titles and one conference tournament championship.
"I'm very humbled and honored to be the next head coach at the University of North Dakota," said Berry, 50. "Men like Dave Hakstol, Dean Blais and Gino Gasparini have put that foundation in place for the program to be as successful as it has been. Myself, as well as [assistant] coach [Dane] Jackson and the rest of our staff, plan on carrying that torch to keep the program at the highest level."
A standout defenseman at UND from 1983-86, Berry was selected in the second round of the 1983 NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He played in 241 NHL games over eight years — including 70 with the North Stars spanning the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. He also has spent time as assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2010-12) and the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose (2006-08).
"We are excited to have Brad take leadership of the UND men's hockey program," UND athletic director Brad Faison said. "He is an effective recruiter, has an outstanding reputation as a teacher of the game, and brings a tremendous energy and passion to the position.''
