OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.–The Oklahoma Warriors announce that Josh Berge has decided to step down as assistant coach of the team.
Berge served as the Warriors’ assistant coach and director of business operations for their inaugural season in 2022-23. He maintains his role of vice president and director of player development with the Oklahoma City Youth Hockey Association.
“I was lucky enough for Garrett (Roth) to bring me on to staff last year,” Berge said. “From there, our relationship grew. He is like a brother to me now. Obviously, winning a championship helps, but we worked really well together. (Owner) Mary Anne (Choi) is a blessing for Oklahoma hockey, too. It took a lot of time and effort to bring this team here, and I think it is going to help grow hockey here.”
Berge, 33, is an Oklahoma City native and has spent the past six seasons coaching locally at the NAHL, NA3HL, and ACHA levels in addition to his youth hockey duties. He notes a desire to focus more closely on the youth hockey program as the reason for his decision to step aside. OKCYHA is transitioning to a new identity as the Oklahoma Jr. Warriors this fall, a connection with the NAHL organization which Berge has helped foster.
“We used to have a professional team here back in the day,” Berge said. “A lot of our youth players’ parents were Blazers fans. Hopefully, if we can continue to grow (the Jr. Warriors program), these kids will look up to the Warriors and become the second generation of hockey fans in Oklahoma City. I think it is an exciting time for Oklahoma City hockey.”
Under Roth and Berge, Oklahoma posted a 44-14-2 record en route to winning the 2023 Robertson Cup. The Warriors led the North American Hockey League in wins, standings points, goals scored, and goal differential, among other accolades. Berge brought a familiarity with the Oklahoma City hockey community to go along with his coaching expertise.
“Josh was a huge part in helping us get settled in the midst of relocation and getting our roots here in Oklahoma City,” Roth said. “It was a seamless transition to get him on board and have him on the coaching staff. He has a great passion and eye to help players develop. We had a really good chemistry and we had similar views for how we wanted to play.”
Berge’s desire to develop young hockey players is prevalent throughout the local hockey scene, from the fast-growing youth organization to the successful junior hockey team. Mary Anne Choi, owner and governor of the Warriors, credits him for helping make the relocation from Wichita Falls as seamless as possible.
“Josh was instrumental in getting us started as an organization and throughout all of last season,” Choi said. “Starting a new organization anywhere is extremely difficult. Without his dedication towards developing hockey, we would not be where we are today. He was a huge part, and will always be, in our Warriors family.”
While the Jr. Warriors are his top priority, Berge still intends to further his Warriors connection. He will assist at Warriors practices when able, and facilitate future collaboration between the youth and junior hockey programs.
“Moving forward, our relationship is going to continue to grow,” Berge said. “I will still help out with the junior team, and Garrett will help out with the youth program, so it is going to be a good working relationship. As a friend, you can not ask for more. (Roth) has been a friend and a mentor since day one.”
The Jr. Warriors, formerly the Oil Kings, are in the process of playing placement tournaments as their four travel teams get ready for the upcoming season. The Oklahoma Warriors are hosting a preseason game against Corpus Christi on Friday, September 8, with ticket sale proceeds going directly to OKCYHA.
“Helping with the youth and junior teams,” Berge said, “Is a partnership we hope to keep strong as we continue to grow hockey in Oklahoma.”
