Dave Noel-Bernier has been hired as an assistant coach at Omaha.
“I’m excited to add someone with Dave’s experience to our staff,” said Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet. “He has a tremendous coaching background, having worked in the National Hockey League.
“Everyone I spoke with about him was very positive about his abilities and work ethic. After going through the interview process with him, I found his passion for the program and community, knowledge of the game and character aligned with my vision for the program.
“Our players are going to benefit from working with someone who has worked with NHL players. And as an alumnus of our program, he will be deeply invested in our success.”
Noel-Bernier was an original Maverick, playing forward in the first four years of the program. He appeared in 138 games for UNO, scoring 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points. He was a two-time CCHA Scholar Athlete, graduating from UNO with a degree in exercise science in 2001.
Noel-Bernier spent the 2015-17 seasons as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings, working with players both on-ice and in video sessions. He was responsible for skill development, scouting reports of opponents and both in-game and post-game breakdown of video.
After graduation, Noel-Bernier spent six seasons as a professional player in North America and Germany. He returned to his alma mater in 2007 and served as the director of hockey operations and assistant strength coach for three seasons. In 2010, he joined the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL as an assistant coach and assistant GM, working three seasons there as both an on-ice coach and in recruiting.
Noel-Bernier spent the 2013-14 season as the hockey director of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Blades Association before returning to coaching as an assistant coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Among other duties there, he ran the team’s power play and coached the forwards.
