Bantam Rep - Bantam A1

Head Coach Profile

Matt Berenger

What is your coaching experience?

I will be entering my 8th season as a minor hockey coach. At the age of 17 I head coached my first atom house hockey team. I have been fortunate to coach at most levels of minor hockey. H3, H4, Atom, Peewee, Bantam and Midget. Along with spending 3 spring hockey seasons head coaching teams with the BC Kodiaks and most recently coaching 2 teams this past spring with the BC Selects spring program.

How long have you been involved with Richmond Hockey (RMHA, Seafair) minor hockey? 

I started playing hockey at the age of 3. I grew up playing minor hockey in RMHA from atom-bantam and finished my hockey playing career with SMHA from midget - Juvenile. 

I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a hockey player, hockey official and a hockey coach. Tho I was able to play hockey for many years, my strongest interest towards the game, was becoming a coach. 

How do people describe you?

Competitive & approachable... and loud.. I spend a lot of time in our community, I always find myself having conversations about hockey, development or just life conversations with many people that I have met from our hockey community. 

What are you most passionate about in hockey?

The opportunity to be apart of the growth of our youth. Along with having the opportunity to develop & teach young hockey players, with consideration of also striving to become good character individuals both on and off the ice. 

What brings you to the rink day in and day out?

The players. There is no better feeling than coming to RIC and being swarmed by former or current players, "Hey Coach Matt"  I get emotionally invested in being a hockey coach and that feeling of coming to the rink and realizing that I have made so many positive relationships with different players gives me an opportunity to enjoy the rink, without all the emotions that goes with being a head coach. 

What is your approach to coaching?

Being a positive role model both on and off the ice for my players. I have a strong mindset towards being a firm coach. I focus on practice and development. Not all practices I run are the same, I like to take negatives from games and practices and develop drills focused on taking strides forward, along with keeping each player engaged in the process. However, I do my best to find a balance of respect and enjoyment for my players. I allow my players to enjoy being apart of such an amazing sport,  without forgetting the importance of learning and appreciating the opportunity they have been given by their parents