Hennigar tabbed to lead UNB men's hockey program
Longtime assistant and former REDS player gets the nod
Longtime assistant and former REDS player gets the nod
Hennigar succeeds Gardiner MacDougall, who retired from the position earlier this month after 24 years and becomes the 38th head coach in the program’s history.
“This is exciting for me and my family,” said Hennigar. “We’ve been around this program for a long time, and it means a lot to us.”
Hennigar has been the REDS associate coach for ten seasons. During that time UNB has won eight Atlantic University Sport championships and five national titles.
He played four seasons under MacDougall, earning a national championship, the AUS Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, four consecutive team MVP nods, two UNB male Athlete of the Year awards, and the 2008 Canadian university male Athlete of the Year trophy.
“As a player, I didn’t start thinking about coaching until late in my pro career,” said Hennigar. “Once I took over as the associate coach and learned what it meant to be a coach and what exactly it entailed, I started thinking about becoming head coach here one day.”
“Given his experience with this program, both as a coach and a student-athlete, we don’t think there was anyone better suited to take over,” said John Richard, Executive Director of UNB Athletics, Recreation, Operations and Wellness. “Rob has become synonymous with UNB and our men’s hockey program and is well respected by the student-athletes he’s worked with over the years. We’re confident he can maintain the high standards that have been established here.”
After his playing career at UNB, Hennigar played five seasons of professional hockey, including stints in the AHL, ECHL, and two European leagues.
In his decade as MacDougall’s associate, he played a key role in developing and implementing all aspects of the REDS on and off ice plans.
He knows the new title means change, but nothing drastic.
“A lot of what I’ve done for the past ten seasons will stay the same with an added element of taking on more off the ice and helping the team and our student-athletes reach their potential every day.”
“What we’ve built here over the past two decades is something special,” added Hennigar. “I intend to try and keep the program, and what we’ve built, as similar as possible. The fans can expect the team to play the same way on the ice.”
“Taking over this program is a big job and Rob is uniquely qualified for it,” said REDS’ Athletic Director Jeff Speedy. “The work he’s done over the last number of seasons as a full-time associate coach has been similar to what a lot of head coaches in this league do. He knows what’s ahead and how to steer this team because he’s been doing it for a while now. We’re really happy that Rob has accepted this promotion.”
Hennigar has already begun work as the team’s new head coach and is already actively recruiting in advance of the 2024-25 season.
He’s excited about what lies ahead and he’s thankful to have apprenticed under one of the best to ever coach in Canadian university men’s hockey.
“Gardiner and I have formed an incredible relationship, both as coaches and friends,” said Hennigar. “He made me a better player, a better person, and a better coach over our 16 years together. Trying to build on what we’ve built is what I look forward to the most.”
Hennigar will name members of his coaching staff at a later date.
STORY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO: James West/for UNB Athletics