ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The St. Cloud State men's hockey team did not go far to find a replacement for assistant coach Nick Oliver.
On Friday, May 20, the Huskies announced that R.J. Enga will replace Oliver, who left the program to become the head coach of the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League.
Enga, 50, spent last season as SCSU's director of operations and video coordinator.
"We are so fortunate to have a highly qualified coach of R.J.’s stature already on our staff and we know he’ll make the transition to our bench seamlessly,” Huskies head coach Brett Larson said in a news release. “His experience speaks for itself, as he has made coaching stops in the NAHL, USHL, national level and in our very own conference at Colorado College.
"Having him on our staff this past season was a blessing, as he was crucial to our operation and immediately earned the trust of our student-athletes and staff. We are excited for the future, and grateful to have R.J. on our bench moving forward.”
ADVERTISEMENT
When Larson left the team to be an assistant coach for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics last season, Enga was moved to an assistant coaching position with the Huskies to help fill the void until Larson returned. After he did, Enga resumed his position.
As the director of operations and video coocrdinator, during games he was in the press box running the team's video, was hooked up on a head set to Oliver on the bench and made suggestions on whether or not the staff should challenge calls on the ice during games. He was also in charge of the team's travel arrangements.
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to continue to be on the coaching staff in my new role as an assistant coach,” Enga said in the news release. “I am truly honored and humbled to be part of such an amazing program and university. St. Cloud State has such a rich history of success and I will do everything that I can to continue this tradition.
"To be able to work closely with Coach Larson and (associate head) coach (Dave) Shyiak is an incredible opportunity. The players, staff and community have all made it a very welcoming place to be and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Before joining St. Cloud State's staff, Enga was an assistant coach for Colorado College from 2014-21 under head coach Mike Haviland. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Enga spent three seasons (2011-14) as an assistant coach and director of player development in juniors for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. From 2009-11, he was an assistant coach for the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League. In 2008-09, he was an assistant coach for Colorado College under head coach Scott Owens.
Before getting into coaching, Enga played pro hockey in North America and in Germany from 1995-2007. Prior to turning pro, he played for forward for Colorado College (1991-95) and had 61 goals and 143 points in 158 games.
The Trust Project
