Dominick Dawes

Men’s Hockey Head Coach
Class of 2004

Contact Information

Andrews Hall

Andrews Halls features basketball and Crossfit fitness centers and a variety of equipment and training rooms. The university’s physical education, recreation and athletic departments; Athletic Communications offices; and Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame Room are also located here.

Department

Athletics

Related Programs

"Norwich has been a significant part of my life for the past 25 years, and I am excited to reconnect with alumni, engage the Central Vermont community, and work alongside our student-athletes. Our mission is to uphold and build upon the proud tradition of excellence that defines Norwich hockey – on and off the ice. Go Wick!"

About

A National Champion Returns to Lead the Next Generation

National champion. Championship coach. Norwich alumnus.

Few people understand Norwich hockey as completely as Dominick Dawes ’04.

After helping the Cadets capture the 2003 NCAA Division III National Championship as a player and later winning a national title as a head coach, Dawes returned to Kreitzberg Arena in 2025 as just the 12th head coach in the storied history of Norwich men's hockey. Today, he is leading one of Division III hockey's premier programs while preparing the next generation of Cadet student-athletes for success on the ice, in the classroom, and beyond.

A Strong First Season

In his first season behind the Norwich bench, Dawes quickly reestablished the Cadets among the nation's elite.

Norwich advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Quarterfinals after capturing the Little East Conference Tournament title and earning an NCAA Tournament berth. The Cadets' season concluded in a hard-fought overtime battle against the eventual national champion, underscoring the program's continued place among the country's top teams.

His student-athletes also earned recognition well beyond team success.

Senior forward Cooper Bertrand was named an American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Second Team All-American, becoming one of the nation's premier Division III players after an outstanding season.

Excellence Beyond the Ice

Under Dawes' leadership, Norwich continued its longstanding tradition of academic excellence.

The Cadets earned the Little East Conference Men's Ice Hockey Team Academic Award, posting a 3.77 cumulative team GPA while placing 25 student-athletes on the conference Academic Honor Roll. In addition, 11 Cadets were recognized as AHCA Krampade All-American Scholars, honoring exceptional achievement in the classroom.

For Dawes, success is measured not only by championships but by developing graduates prepared to lead in every arena.

Career Highlights

12th head coach in Norwich men's hockey history
Member of Norwich's 2003 NCAA Division III National Championship team
NCAA Division III National Championship-winning head coach
Guided Norwich to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals in his first season
Little East Conference Tournament champion (2025-26)
Coached AHCA Second Team All-American Cooper Bertrand
Led Norwich to the Little East Conference Men's Ice Hockey Team Academic Award (3.77 GPA)
Guided 25 Academic Honor Roll selections
Coached 11 AHCA Krampade All-American Scholars
Continues Norwich's tradition of championship-level hockey while emphasizing academic excellence and leadership development

Coach. Builder. Game Changer.

Dawes has recruited and coached several All-Americans, multiple national award finalists, and numerous All-Conference players. He knows how to develop players and build teams that compete hard, play fast, and support each other on and off the ice. He builds a team culture that extends well beyond the ice.