Wednesday, May 25, 2011

David signs two-year extension with Brown Bears

Press Release

The Kenai River Brown Bears have announced that head coach Oliver David has signed a two-year contract extension with the team.

In 2010-11 - his second year with the Brown Bears’ organization - David led the club to a franchise-best 27-24-7 record and a berth to the Robertson Cup Playoffs.

“The Kenai Peninsula Youth Foundation (KPYF) is very excited to retain Oliver for the next two seasons,” said Brown Bears general manager Nate Kiel. “He’s brought a competitive product to the Kenai Peninsula and, more importantly, emulates the professionalism, character and strengths we desire in a coach.”

David, a Los Angeles native, joined the team as an assistant coach in 2009 and was named interim head coach in October of that year. He held that position the remainder of the 2009-10 season.

In his first year as head coach this past season, David guided the team to the most wins (27) and points (61) in the team’s four-year history. He also helped develop and advance two players to the Division I ranks while sending every one of his aged-out players onto college hockey for the coming fall.

“I couldn't be more pleased with the opportunities Nate Kiel and (Brown Bears founder and governor) Mr. (Barry) Schoenly have afforded me,” said David. “They’ve given me a chance and I’m extremely grateful, to say the least.

“We’re building a brand that truly focuses on the growth of our athletes by becoming active in the community, being academically organized and working towards being a full-time athlete, on and off the ice - that’s our focus.”

According to Kiel, David has placed great emphasis on the recruitment and placement of his players and, in doing so, has focused on building a team with high standards for performance, character and leadership.

“Oliver is on the same page as the KPYF and understands what we need to make the Bears a competitive and viable team that can be self-sustaining in the NAHL,” said Kiel. “We’ve become highly respected throughout the league as a quality organization and Oliver has played a huge role in our success.”

“For all of us who are lucky enough to experience Alaska and play in a Kenai River uniform, it's such a unique and life-enhancing experience,” David added. “We’re a stable organization and our community is behind us 100 percent.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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