Western Michigan announced on Monday the hiring of Dave Shyiak as the Broncos’ new associate head coach.
Shyiak spent the 2013-14 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization where he was an amateur scout. Prior to that, he spent eight seasons as head coach at Alaska-Anchorage and was also an assistant and associate head coach at his alma mater, Northern Michigan, where as a player, he helped win the 1991 national championship.
“We are excited to have Dave Shyiak join our coaching staff,” said WMU head coach Andy Murray in a statement. “As with Ben Barr, I have had a long relationship with Dave. He is a quality person that brings a competitive, pit bull mentality. His coaching experience in college hockey and his NHL scouting experience with the Toronto Maple Leafs will only enhance our ability to recruit and develop players for pro hockey. He has an expertise in the defensive side of the game that will complement Ben’s offensive emphasis.”
“This was too good of an opportunity to turn down, the opportunity to work with Coach Murray and his staff and the chance to grow as a coach with a program that has continued to improve on the ice and in the classroom,” added Shyiak. “This staff and the administration has really elevated the program and it is exciting to help continue that work.”
Shyiak left UAA with 80 career wins, including 16 during the 2010-11 season in which the Seawolves made it to the quarterfinals of the WCHA tournament.
