Emmanuel Bernardi

Emmanuel Bernardi (born October 25th, 1942) is a retired Valorian professional ice hockey coach, who managed the Providence Doves for 28 seasons, from 1991 to 2019. His near-three-decade tenure, the longest of any head coach in VHL history, is most famous for the period between 1996 and 2013, where he won 21 trophies across 18 seasons. Throughout his tenure, Bernardi guided the Doves to 3 Doubles, 7 league championships, 5 Earle Trophies, and 9 Coupes Balbuzard.

Bernardi is widely regarded as one of the finest head coaches in VHL history, holding a number of managing records: most championships won by a head coach (7), most Coupes Balbuzard won by a head coach (9), most Doubles won by a head coach (3), and most total trophies won by a head coach (19). He is also famous for his highly inflammatory persona, and his leadership of the Doves during the 2000s star controversy.

Providence Doves (1991 - 2019)

1990s

Bernardi took over the Providence Doves ahead of the 1992 campaign, inheriting a team that had finished 12th in the prior season.

2000s

Bernardi's Doves began the 2000s

2000s Star Controversy

As head coach of the Doves, Bernardi played a prominent role in the 2000s Star Controversy. Thanks to their dominant showing throughout most of the decade, Bernardi's Doves had been favorites to win the star up until the final game of the decade, in which the Boston Spirits successfully defended their Double.

Bernardi was quick to echo reports that claimed the Boston Spirits were using blackmail and bribery to influence the VHF and voting members to award them the star. As more evidence was released supported these initial reports, Bernardi was famously vocal about his disdain towards the Spirits' actions. Bernardi made several inflammatory comments criticizing the Spirits, their head coach Charley Milner, their fanbase, and even Boston as a whole. He received some backlash for these comments, however never made an official apology for any statements during this time period.

The Boston Spirits eventually won the star, to the great dismay of Bernardi. Following the announcement at the end-of-decade award ceremony, Bernardi was seen storming out of the venue. His rant in the aftermath of the announcement were highly charged and accusatory, targeting the VHF, the Spirits (in particular Milner), the city of Boston, and even Doves players who did not leave the venue alongside him. Although asked to apologize for his tirade, Bernardi refused and doubled-down on his statements, chastising the VHF for having "committed crimes against Valoria."

Bernardi's rash behavior during this controversy meant he came close to being relieved of his duties. His incredible performance over the past decade, however, could not be overlooked, and Bernardi remained as head coach going into the 2010s.

2010s

Following the bitter loss of the star, Bernardi announced the Doves were coming back in the new decade to reclaim what was "stolen from them."

Retirement & Legacy

Bernardi stepped down as head coach of the Doves after the 2019 campaign. He felt the end of the decade was the right time to retire, paving the way for a new generation to continue the pursuit of a star. He was also growing old, 76 by the end of the 2019 campaign, and unwilling to commit to another decade in managing.

Bernardi is widely regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey coaches in history, having led the Doves to some of the most dominant campaigns by any team in the VHL. His 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2012 campaigns are all regarded as some of the finest conducted by any head coach. His overall work in bringing a bottom-half team that had even finished last just a few seasons prior to taking over, to consistently qualifying for two-and-a-half decades has been praised by virtually all.

Conscient of the difficulty in transitioning into an era without him after nearly three decades of his presence, Bernardi remains with the Doves in an advisory role. He continues to live in Providence, and occasionally attends important Doves games.