February 12, 2014
Craig Fisher named head coach of UOIT men's hockey program
OSHAWA, Ont. – The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) athletic department is proud to announce that Craig Fisher has been named the new head coach of the men’s hockey program.
“This is my community and my dream job,” said Fisher. “I am so excited to help turn this program in to one of the nation’s best. I want to help these young men maximize their University experience and always be proud that they earned a degree from UOIT.”
“We are very excited to add Craig to, what is already, an outstanding Ridgebacks overall head coaching staff,” said Ken Babcock, UOIT Athletic Director. “His high level experience, hockey knowledge and commitment to academic & on ice success, combined with his local community roots are significant to us. This addition will move our program closer to our goal of competing for and winning a national championship.”
Fisher is familiar with the UOIT men’s hockey program having served as the associate head coach from 2010-11 to 2011-12. Following his time with the Ridgebacks, he was the head coach of the Whitby Fury of the Ontario Junior Hockey League from 2012-13 and 2013-14. Fisher helped lead the Fury to their most successful season in 15 years as they posted a 31-19-5 record and qualified for the OJHL postseason. He was responsible for scouting and recruitment of all players while running every aspect of the day-to-day hockey operations in tandem with the general manager.
“After retiring from playing hockey, I wanted to gain as much knowledge as I could in order to give back to the sport that I devoted such a big part of my life to. To that end, I have worked hard at achieving a high level of coaching accreditation as well as immersing myself in all aspects of hockey on and off the ice. I am a believer in lifelong learning.”
Prior to his coaching career, Fisher spent 12 seasons playing professional hockey in the NHL, AHL, IHL as well as overseas. He was chosen 56th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Entry Draft. Rather than jumping straight to the pros, he decided to attend the University of Miami of Ohio where he scored 108 points in 76 games over two seasons with the Redskins. In 1990, he was named to the CCHA First All-Star Team.
After turning pro, he scored 43 goals for the Hershey Bears in 1990-91, and then joined the Edmonton Oilers via a trade involving NHL hall of famer Jari Kurri. Fisher was a solid two-way forward for the AHL’s Cape Breton Oilers, but never made it to the parent club. Fisher signed with Chicago Black Hawks in 1994 and found instant success with their IHL farm team in Indianapolis scoring 53 goals. The next season, he joined the Orlando Solar Bears and led the IHL with an astonishing 74 goals. In 1997-98, he left for Germany to suit up for the Kolner Haie club for two seasons, before returning to the AHL to play for the Rochester Americans from 1998-2000.
The men’s hockey team will be closing out their regular season on Saturday, February 15 against the Laurier Golden Hawks which will be followed by the first round of the OUA playoffs. UOIT’s opponent will be determined this week as the regular season concludes.
Fisher will officially take over the role of head coach at the end of this season.
Source: UOIT Sports Info
“This is my community and my dream job,” said Fisher. “I am so excited to help turn this program in to one of the nation’s best. I want to help these young men maximize their University experience and always be proud that they earned a degree from UOIT.”
“We are very excited to add Craig to, what is already, an outstanding Ridgebacks overall head coaching staff,” said Ken Babcock, UOIT Athletic Director. “His high level experience, hockey knowledge and commitment to academic & on ice success, combined with his local community roots are significant to us. This addition will move our program closer to our goal of competing for and winning a national championship.”
Fisher is familiar with the UOIT men’s hockey program having served as the associate head coach from 2010-11 to 2011-12. Following his time with the Ridgebacks, he was the head coach of the Whitby Fury of the Ontario Junior Hockey League from 2012-13 and 2013-14. Fisher helped lead the Fury to their most successful season in 15 years as they posted a 31-19-5 record and qualified for the OJHL postseason. He was responsible for scouting and recruitment of all players while running every aspect of the day-to-day hockey operations in tandem with the general manager.
“After retiring from playing hockey, I wanted to gain as much knowledge as I could in order to give back to the sport that I devoted such a big part of my life to. To that end, I have worked hard at achieving a high level of coaching accreditation as well as immersing myself in all aspects of hockey on and off the ice. I am a believer in lifelong learning.”
Prior to his coaching career, Fisher spent 12 seasons playing professional hockey in the NHL, AHL, IHL as well as overseas. He was chosen 56th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Entry Draft. Rather than jumping straight to the pros, he decided to attend the University of Miami of Ohio where he scored 108 points in 76 games over two seasons with the Redskins. In 1990, he was named to the CCHA First All-Star Team.
After turning pro, he scored 43 goals for the Hershey Bears in 1990-91, and then joined the Edmonton Oilers via a trade involving NHL hall of famer Jari Kurri. Fisher was a solid two-way forward for the AHL’s Cape Breton Oilers, but never made it to the parent club. Fisher signed with Chicago Black Hawks in 1994 and found instant success with their IHL farm team in Indianapolis scoring 53 goals. The next season, he joined the Orlando Solar Bears and led the IHL with an astonishing 74 goals. In 1997-98, he left for Germany to suit up for the Kolner Haie club for two seasons, before returning to the AHL to play for the Rochester Americans from 1998-2000.
The men’s hockey team will be closing out their regular season on Saturday, February 15 against the Laurier Golden Hawks which will be followed by the first round of the OUA playoffs. UOIT’s opponent will be determined this week as the regular season concludes.
Fisher will officially take over the role of head coach at the end of this season.
Source: UOIT Sports Info
