Sharks Ice and the Oakland Bears have announced the addition of Eugene Murphy as the Mite Coordinator & Mite Head Coach in Oakland.  With the growth of the Sharks Ice and Bears Hockey Programs at the younger ages the need for a hockey professional focused on the development of players in the Mite (8U) age group is necessary.  The recent addition of Hockey Manager, Derek Donald and Murphy, the Sharks Ice and Bears hockey programs have two experienced hockey coaches well versed in the ADM (American Development Model) and LTAD (Long Term Athletic Development) process and philosophies.  Murphy's focus on the Mite (8U) players will provide them with an energetic and fun experience at the rink.  The ADM provides a great platform to develop hockey players in a positive and fun way while maintaining a competitive environemnt so players can reach their maximum potential. 

Eugene Murphy hails from the Washington D.C area where he began playing hockey at age 4 with a local Mite house program and moving up to travel A as a squirt, AA travel as a peewee and graduating to AAA tier 1 with the Washington Junior Capitals as a Bantam. Prior to playing juniors in Virginia his hockey career came to a sudden halt after being hit by a car on his bike at age 15 leaving him in a coma for several weeks. 

While recovering from his injuries he began his coaching career teaching learn to skate, intro to hockey, and hockey mini/mighty mites programs at local Virginia/DC area rinks in 2004.  He fostered an appreciation for training and coaching while going through his own recovery.  

After almost a year of rehab and recovery he was back on the ice playing Junior B and in the next season made the jump to Junior A in the WSHL. After playing Juniors, Eugene attended University of Louisiana earning a Biology Degree while playing college hockey for the Ragin Cajuns in the ACHA.  Eugene was named President and Captain of his college hockey team while also serving as a Youth Hockey Director and Head Mite Coach.

Eugene relocated to the San Francisco Bay area to open a business in June of 2013 with his son Colten and girl friend Amanda.