Coaches
Chris Bernard - Head Coach
Last season, Bernard continued to reshape his program and the Bears battled through injuries, falling short of the postseason.
In 2009-10, Bernard led the Bears to a 9-14-2 mark, and the SUNYAC Tournament quarterfinals. Senior forward Connor Treacy was named first team all-conference for the second straight season after posting 11 goals and 27 assists, which ranked third in the league.
Prior to Potsdam, Bernard coached at Division III Western New England (Mass.) College for three seasons. Prior to his tenure at WNEC, Bernard was an assistant coach at Division I Canisius College during the 2005-06 season. He also served as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Sting of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2001-02 season.
From 1998-2004, Bernard played professional hockey with the Mohawk Valley Prowlers and the Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League (UHL), as well as the Fayetteville Force of the Central Hockey League (CHL).
A native of Brasher Falls, Bernard played college hockey for Division I Clarkson, where he was the recipient of the Mike Morrison Scholarship for athletic and academic excellence. He compiled a .964 career winning percentage as a goaltender, including a 13-0-1 tally during his senior year.
During his tenure, the Golden Knights won two ECAC regular season championship titles and participated in four NCAA Tournaments. Clarkson also enjoyed four seasons of at least 20 wins and tallied a 98-39-10 record during Bernard’s four years.
In 1998, Bernard earned his bachelor's in technical communications from Clarkson. He later received his master's in sports administration from Canisius.
As President and Founder of Goaltender Enhancement Programs, Bernard directs a business that is dedicated to the development of aspiring young goaltenders. He also serves as Director of Coaching for Lake Placid’s Can-Am Hockey Schools.
Chris and his wife Tracy are the parents of two sons, 4-year old Jaxon and Brandon, who is 2.
Tim Crowley - Assistant Coach
Tim Crowley enters his third season as men's ice hockey assistant coach.
Crowley assists Coach Bernard in all aspects of the hockey program, including game preparation, skills development and recruiting.
Coach Crowley is a 2009 graduate of SUNY Brockport, where he was a four-year member of the Golden Eagles hockey team. An assistant captain his senior year, Crowley was a SUNYAC All-Academic honoree. He also received the Bob Peterson Coaches Award as well as Brockport's Seventh Man Award.
"I am extremely excited to have a coach with Tim's professionalism and work ethic join our staff," Bernard said. "His passion for the game and familiarity with our league will be tremendous assets to the development of our program."
Prior to attending Brockport, Crowley played junior hockey for the Cobourg Cougars and the Syracuse Stars. He is a native of Brasher Falls, N.Y., and played four years at St. Lawrence Central High School.