R.J. Enga, who played 158 games for Colorado College from 1991-95, recently completed the seventh season of his second stint as an assistant coach with the Tigers. Enga, who served as an assistant coach during the 2008-09 campaign, became the first member of Mike Haviland’s coaching staff on June 16, 2014.
Prior to rejoining the CC staff, Enga spent three seasons with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, serving as assistant coach and director of player development. During his tenure in the Windy City, he coached former Tigers Mason Bergh, Nate Kwiecinski and Christian Heil.Enga struck for 61 goals and added 82 assists for 143 points during his four seasons at Colorado College. The right winger is tied for 37th place on the program’s career scoring list with Clare Smith (1953-56).
During his senior year, Enga set career highs with 23 goals and 46 points while leading the Tigers to the championship game of the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference Tournament and a berth in the NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Championship.
Enga, a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team as a junior, graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in international political economy as well as a minor in philosophy.
A 10th-round selection by the New York Islanders in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Enga played 10 seasons of professional hockey at virtually every level.
His career highlights include being named to the East Coast Hockey League All-Rookie Team and All-Star Game in 1996, winning the West Coast Hockey League’s Taylor Cup as a member of the San Diego Gulls in 2003, and becoming the Colorado Gold Kings all-time leading scorer, recording 387 points on 165 goals and 222 assists in just four seasons.
Enga also played one season with TSV Erding in the German 2nd Eishockey Bundesliga, earning Most Valuable Player honors after recording 41 goals and 61 assists in 64 games.
After retiring as a player, Enga began his coaching career with Topeka of the North American Hockey League, where he helped guide the RoadRunners to back-to-back South Division Championships in 2009 and 2010, as well as the 2010 NAHL President’s Trophy. He also spent six years with the Pikes Peak Miners AAA organization, serving as both hockey director and head coach of the 18U squad.
Enga and his wife, Jessica, were married in the summer of 2018. He is the proud father of two daughters, Kaelin and Makenna.
