Coaches Name:  Bruce Werner

Where are you from? I grew up on the East Side of St. Paul and now live in the Bermuda Triangle that is northeast Lakeville/northwest Farmington.  

How old were you when you started playing hockey? I started skating at age 4 and played my first mite game at age 5.  

Tell us a little bit about your playing experience (who, when, how long, awards)  I played high school hockey at St. Paul Harding; played college at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter and continue to play men’s league each winter.  I have been fortunate to play with some very talented players and for some of the best coaches in the game. 

How long have you been coaching?  I’ve been formally coaching youth hockey for four years and assisting with camps and clinics for more than 12 years.   

What teams and levels have you coached?  My formal coaching has been at the mini-mite and mite level and clinics have included all ages.  

Do you have kids currently playing hockey (who, how old, what level)?  My son will be a third-year mite this season and my daughter will be a mini-mite, assuming she wants to play organized hockey in 2009-10 season.  

Who is/was your favorite hockey player and why?   My favorite players were Raymond Borque and Cam Neeley.  Neeley was a tremendous power forward and played “old school” hockey with passion and determination.  Bourque was one of the best defensemen to ever play the game.  Both were in their prime when I was playing high school through college.  

What is your favorite hockey memory? I have hundreds of top memories from my playing days, but my all time favorite was assisting on the goal that defeated St. Thomas in triple overtime of the regional semi-finals in 1986.  We were not expected to advance beyond the quarters but two underdog wins put us within one game of the state tournament.  Unfortunately, we lost a heartbreaker to South St. Paul two days later.