December 6, 2006
UOIT WELCOMES BRET MEYERS TO THE MEN�S HOCKEY COACHING STAFF
Oshawa (UOIT) - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology is pleased to announce that former all-star Bret Meyers has joined the coaching staff of the UOIT Ridgebacks varsity men's hockey program.
The Uxbridge native spent five years of professional hockey at various levels in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), International Hockey League (IHL), American Hockey League (AHL), and United Hockey League (UHL). Meyers started his career in 1998 with the Columbus Chill and played in the ECHL all-star game that same year. In 1999, he attended the New York Islanders training camp, but with a serious knee injury two games into the season he was forced to focus his attention on next season. While injured, he took a player assistant coach position with the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL. After retiring from professional hockey in 2003, Meyers went on to coach the Port Hope Predators in 2004. That season he led the Predators to its first division championship and was named east division coach of the year. He also runs his own business providing insurance and investment products.
"Our program is very fortunate to attract a quality coach like Bret Meyers," said UOIT Ridgebacks head coach Marlin Muylaert. "The play of his team during his tenure with the Port Hope Predators was very impressive. In recruiting several of his former players to our program, Bret earned the respect and admiration from his players. As a former elite student athlete himself, Bret will be instrumental in the building of our Ridgeback program."
"I am excited and anxious about being part of the UOIT hockey program," said Meyers, "to be apart of starting something new is very rewarding. The support from the community, local businesses, and the entire UOIT family has been overwhelming. Durham Region produces many great student athletes, and we will be able to provide these athletes with a place to develop their hockey skills and get a great degree."
Meyers will join assistant coach and former NHL'er Rob Pearson and head coach Marlin Muylaert as the Ridgebacks kick off its inaugural season in October of 2007.
(Source: Angela Cull, Sports Information & Marketing Officer Durham College/UOIT Department of Athletics)
The Uxbridge native spent five years of professional hockey at various levels in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), International Hockey League (IHL), American Hockey League (AHL), and United Hockey League (UHL). Meyers started his career in 1998 with the Columbus Chill and played in the ECHL all-star game that same year. In 1999, he attended the New York Islanders training camp, but with a serious knee injury two games into the season he was forced to focus his attention on next season. While injured, he took a player assistant coach position with the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL. After retiring from professional hockey in 2003, Meyers went on to coach the Port Hope Predators in 2004. That season he led the Predators to its first division championship and was named east division coach of the year. He also runs his own business providing insurance and investment products.
"Our program is very fortunate to attract a quality coach like Bret Meyers," said UOIT Ridgebacks head coach Marlin Muylaert. "The play of his team during his tenure with the Port Hope Predators was very impressive. In recruiting several of his former players to our program, Bret earned the respect and admiration from his players. As a former elite student athlete himself, Bret will be instrumental in the building of our Ridgeback program."
"I am excited and anxious about being part of the UOIT hockey program," said Meyers, "to be apart of starting something new is very rewarding. The support from the community, local businesses, and the entire UOIT family has been overwhelming. Durham Region produces many great student athletes, and we will be able to provide these athletes with a place to develop their hockey skills and get a great degree."
Meyers will join assistant coach and former NHL'er Rob Pearson and head coach Marlin Muylaert as the Ridgebacks kick off its inaugural season in October of 2007.
(Source: Angela Cull, Sports Information & Marketing Officer Durham College/UOIT Department of Athletics)
