630 CHED Sports
5/30/2012
Twenty years after his playing career ended at the University of Alberta, Ian Herbers is returning to coach the Golden Bears hockey team.
Herbers is leaving the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League to take over at the U of A. Herbers had been on the Admirals coaching staff since 2009. He became their head coach part way through last season when Kirk Muller left for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Herbers played for the Golden Bears from 1988 to 1992 and knows all about the expectations of the program. He wants players who can excel on the ice and in the classroom. "It's difficult combining the university side of it and the hockey side of it. They are both very important aspects of the Golden Bears program. We want guys who come into the program, graduate, and leave better hockey players and better people," he said.
Herbers played over a decade of professional hockey, mostly in minor leagues. He suited up for 65 NHL games, including 22 games with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993-94.
Herbers will be the Golden Bears third coach in as many years. Eric Thurston departed after the 2010-11 season. Stan Marple coached the club in 2011-12 and is now the team's general manager. (jrw)
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