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Thursday, June 5, 2008
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Eigner resigns as boys' hockey coach Selk: Community losing coach, family that has shown 'the true meaning of courage' Sports Editor For the first time in 10 seasons the Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey program will have a new head coach behind the bench.
Ty Eigner announced his resignation Wednesday to accept a position with the Eden Prairie High School varsity boys' program. In addition he will conduct camps and clinics for the Eagles.
Eigner said many factors led to his decision. Among them were returning to the Twin Cities (he and his wife Erika are from Rosemount), being closer to medical facilities where his son, Peter, receives treatment for his battle with cancer and the fact all three of his children are under the age of 6.
"When we looked at it as a family, and looked at the potential for me as a coach pursuing my passion, and Erika being able to continue with her company (Tradition Mortgage), having relatives there and being from there, it made sense on a lot of different fronts," he said.
Eigner, who also was director of hockey for the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association, said the decision was extremely difficult. His children were born in Brainerd. He and Erika spent nine of their 11 years of marriage in the lakes area.
"We formed some tremendous relationships with people, parents, co-workers, schools," he said. "That certainly weighed heavily on our minds as we made this decision."
Another factor influencing Eigner's decision was the fact his brother, Trent, is opening a new rink in Rosemount.
"He would like me to be involved in that so there's a lot of other things that certainly intrigued me about this opportunity," he said.
Eigner's Warrior teams went 135-87-10 (.608) and won two Central Lakes Conference championships. He said he was proud of what Brainerd has done during his tenure and that he was fortunate to work with outstanding assistant coaches.
"Toby Kvalevog has been with me from Day One," he said. "To start with somebody that you had never met before, I couldn't have handpicked a better person. Throughout the years - Dave Stengrim, Adam Extrand, Jim Ernster - I was fortunate to work with great people.
"And, I had a ton of support from the school district. Todd Selk was the only activities director I worked for here. Our relationship has been very good and he's done nothing but support what we have as goals for the program."
Eigner coached several outstanding Warrior individuals.
"You will never forget those people," he said. "As I look back at it, we came in and won the conference championship my first year. That senior class was a fun group. I still have relationships with those guys. To see Tim Conboy from that class play in the NHL this year - not a lot of coaches ever get the opportunity to do that.
"We finished it this year with another really good senior class. We had a very good year (17-9-1). We played as tough a schedule as we ever played. Players like Drew Olson and Joe Frazer, who are going to continue their careers, Bronson Shepherd, who's going to play football, and Christian Engel (St. Olaf), it was another really good class. Sandwiched in there were a lot of great kids.
"Tom Zaleski, Conrad Kragness, Pete Larson, Jake Johnson, Ben Midge, those five guys have all coached at the youth level and done a great job. As a coach that's really satisfying as well, to have ex-players come back and give back (to the program)."
Eigner also credited Pittsburgh Penguins scout Chuck Grillo, owner of Minnesota Hockey Schools in Nisswa, for encouraging him to apply for the Brainerd job when it opened.
"Along with Todd Selk, the school district and BAHA, I wouldn't have come to Brainerd if Chuck hadn't informed me of the job opening up here, that it was a great opportunity," he said.
Selk accepted Eigner's resignation - with regret.
"We're certainly sorry to hear the Eigner family is leaving Brainerd," he said, "but we understand they have an opportunity that's good for their family, and we certainly support them in their decision.
"Ty has raised the level of this program his nine years here. He has done that by first having high expectations for himself and also for his staff and his players. As a result of those high expectations the program has continued to grow under his leadership.
"Not only are we losing a hockey coach, but our community is losing a family that has shown all of us the true meaning of courage."
Selk said the vacancy will be posted immediately and that he hopes to hire a replacement soon while taking "the time to get a person in place who can continue what has been started here."
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.
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