"It is my pleasure to announce Rob as our associate coach and
hockey camp coordinator," said Richard. "Rob is a superb hockey player
and he has worked with our camps as an instructor and as a volunteer
coach with our team; we couldn't have asked for a better fit for our
program."
A two-time CIS All-Canadian and four-time AUS All-Star, Hennigar
played a key role in UNB's 2007 National Championship and even bigger
role in their 2008 National Silver medal. The former 2005 AUS rookie of
the year, Hennigar also helped lead Team Canada AUS to the gold medal
at the 2007 Winter Universiade in Italy, where he tied for the team lead
with nine points in six outings, including a pair of goals in a 3-1
gold-medal victory over Russia. In 2008 he was named UNB's MVP for the
fourth consecutive time, both the AUS and CIS hockey MVP and became the
first male hockey player to win the prestigious BLG award as the CIS
Athlete of the Year after leading the nation in scoring in conference
play with 58 points (15-43-58) in 27 games.
"I am extremely excited to be returning to the UNB family," said
Hennigar. "Since coming here in 2004 as a player I've always felt that
UNB and the City of Fredericton have been unbelievable to me. With
getting this position I have a chance to give back to the program and
the City - I couldn't be happier. This is a dream job for not only me
but my wife as well who is a former UNB basketball player and loves UNB.
I look forward to working with Gardiner and helping the program
continue to be one of the top programs in the CIS."
"We are very fortunate that Rob has decided to retire as a player and join our coaching staff. He will continue the strong UNB tradition of alumni playing a key coaching role in the success of our program. Rob was recruited to UNB as a very good player, continued to grow his game here and left as the best player in the country while also playing a key role in the elevation of our program to National prominence. He has great passion for UNB, has an elite hockey mind and is an excellent communicator and teacher. It is a special opportunity to have a former player as a key part of our staff," were the words of UNB Head coach Gardiner MacDougall.
Hennigar will begin his duties immediately and will be a key
instructor for the upcoming UNB Pumpernickel Skills and Drill summer
program at the Aitken Centre.