Tyler Naugler officially named head coach of Huskies Men’s Hockey
Saint Mary's University Department of Athletics & Recreation is proud to announce that Tyler Naugler has been named the head coach of the Huskies Men's Hockey program.
"We are beyond thrilled to officially announce Tyler Naugler as the Huskies head coach," said Scott Gray, Saint Mary's University Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Over the past two years as Interim Head Coach, Tyler has done a tremendous job of keeping our program competitive while navigating the pandemic, and I know he's the perfect choice to lead this program now, and into the future."
Entering his 21st season with the Huskies hockey program, Naugler has served as interim head coach for nearly two calendar years, guiding the team through the COVID year in 2020-21 and through the pandemic-shortened 2021-22 campaign.
"It's a big accomplishment for me," said Naugler. "I've been here for over two decades and I'm very appreciative of all the opportunities the Huskies hockey program has given me. To be named the full-time coach of this program, I feel like I'm being embraced by my hockey family, and it means the world to me."
In 2021-22, Naugler coached a young Huskies team to a 10-11-2 record, and a quarter-final upset over the UPEI Panthers, before being defeated in the semi-final by the St. FX X-Men, who went on to win the U SPORTS Bronze Medal. With 15 first year players, including U SPORTS All-Canadian defenceman Justin MacPherson, this year's Huskies team showcased the ability of Naugler and his staff to recruit new talent, and forecasts a bright future for the program.
"I'm very excited to lead this team," said Naugler. "We have an exceptional group of young men right now, and an outstanding group of coaches supporting me. We're set up to be in a great position, and I'm very thankful for the University and overall support from the hockey community at Saint Mary's to be given this opportunity."
Prior to 2020, Naugler was an assistant coach and important part of the Huskies hockey program for 18 years. From 1997-2004, Naugler worked alongside former head coach Trevor Stienburg to help shape a new era in Huskies' hockey tradition. With Naugler's help, the team won an AUS Championship in 2002 for the first time in 25 years. Coach Naugler and the 2002 Championship Team were inducted into the Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Naugler returned to the Huskies in 2009-10 and helped lead the team to a second AUS Championship and the University Cup (CIS National Championship) Gold Medal, the first National Championship title in program history. Naugler also helped coach the Huskies to a University Cup Silver Medal in 2013, and Bronze Medal in 2015.
In addition to his excellent work with the Huskies men's team, Naugler has also been dedicated to helping mentor young players at the grassroots level. As the lead of Saint Mary's Jr. Huskies Hockey Camp, Naugler has played a key and pivotal role in the growth and success of the program.
A native of Bridgewater, N.S., Naugler came up through their local minor hockey system alongside former NHL All-Star Glen Murray. He is a former MJAHL player who skated alongside NHL's Aaron Downey of the Detroit Red Wings and Eric Boulton of the Atlanta Thrashers for three seasons with the Cole Harbour Scotia Colts. Naugler would go on to play three years of university varsity hockey before moving into the coaching ranks.
He currently resides in Halifax with his wife Sarah, and is a proud father to four children; 14-year-old Emma, 12-year-old Mady, 4-year-old Laurel, and 2-year-old Hank Tyler.
"Hockey has been a part of my family for my whole life, and for over 20 years, Saint Mary's Hockey has very much been part of my family. I have four kids. After my four kids, the most important thing to me is the 25 guys in my dressing room every year."
Saint Mary's Huskies Men's Hockey has a rich legacy dating back to the 1920's, with 14 conference championships, and the 2010 University Cup Champions.