Stevenson announced Tuesday that former Neumann coach and Norwich standout Dominick Dawes has been named as the first head men’s coach at Stevenson when the team begins NCAA play with the 2016-17 season.
“We are excited to have our first men’s ice hockey coach with the experience, knowledge and talent that Dominick Dawes brings to the university,” said Stevenson director of athletics Brett Adams in a statement. “His knowledge of the ECAC West, his national championship experience as both a player and a head coach, and his connection with the student-athletes puts our men’s ice hockey program in great hands for the future.”
Dawes spent seven seasons as the head coach at Neumann, compiling a 107-62-25 record, making him the winningest coach in the program’s history.
“My family and I are very excited to be a part of Stevenson University,” added Dawes. “I want to thank director of athletics Brett Adams and president Dr. Kevin Manning for giving us the opportunity to start the men’s hockey program. Stevenson has proven to be a leader in Division III athletics and we are looking forward to building a program that will excel on and off the ice.”
During his time with the Knights, Dawes led Neumann to the postseason in all seven seasons while claiming the 2009 NCAA Division III national title in his first year as coach and winning AHCA national coach of the year honors.
Dawes became just the second head coach to win a national championship as both a player and a coach after winning as a player with Norwich in 2003.
The Knights also won two ECAC West Conference Championships during his tenure and finished over the .500 mark in six out of the seven seasons.
Prior to Neumann, Dawes served as an assistant coach at Hamilton for two seasons.
A 2004 graduate of Norwich, Dawes was a forward and defenseman for the Cadets and played in three Frozen Fours. Following college, Dawes played two seasons of professional hockey for the Macon Trax and Florida Seals, making it to the Southern Professional Hockey League finals in both seasons.
