His career at SCSU started when the then thirty-three year-old Dahl joined legendary coach Herb Brooks during the 1986-87 season to provide stewardship to the SCSU hockey program in it's transition from the NCAA Division III ranks to Division I independent status and eventually an invite to join college hockey's most successful and prestigious hockey conference, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. He leaves college hockey with an overall record of 413-394-54, five NCAA appearances, 1998 WCHA Coach of the Year honors and six 20-plus win seasons. Perhaps the apex of his coaching career was in 2000-01 when his team won the WCHA playoff championship and Broadmoor Trophy, compiled a 31-9-1 record and advanced to the NCAA tournament. From 1999 to 2003 he led his teams to four consecutive NCAA appearances and during that span one of the top cumulative winning records in collegiate hockey.
At St. Cloud State University, he watched a number of his former players make the jump to the professional ranks and many to the NHL including Lenny Esau, Fred Knipscheer, Bret Hedican, Matt Cullen, Mark Parrish, Mark Hartigan, Duvie Westcott, Tyler Arnason, Ryan Malone and Joe Motzko. Others such as Brett Lievers, George Awada, Taj Melson, Jon Cullen and Josh DeWolf have had successful professional careers in European professional hockey or minor pro levels. He mentored many future successful coaches during his time at SCSU including Mike Eaves (Wisconsin), John Harrington (St. John's University), Tom Serratore (Bemidji State University), Brett Peterson (Gustavus), Doc Delcastillo (University of Nebraska-Omaha), Bob Motzko (Miami-Ohio, Denver, University of Minnesota, SCSU), and Mike Hastings, a very successful junior hockey coach.
But, above all he would probably want to be remembered as a coach who led his team with integrity and one who never compromised his "academics first" approach for his players. During his tenure, more than 75 players have been named to the WCHA All-Academic team. "There's always going to be some (players) that don't quite understand it," he was quoted as saying. "But, you're here for much more than hockey. You're here to make yourself a better person." It was never more apparent than in 2004-05 when 19 of his 27 players earned a 3.0 or higher GPA. "You look at hockey differently as a coach than you do as a player. As a player, you're concerned with the small things - what happens on the ice, your role, what you do to help you win. As a coach, you see the big picture. Your concerns become much broader. There's academics, instilling a value system," Dahl said.
Possibly the most recognizable and visible individual on the SCSU campus, he'll certainly be missed for the generous amount of time he gave to speak to civic groups, athletic teams, student groups, professional associations and booster clubs on behalf of the university. Always a good friend of the Center Ice Club, he was instrumental in it's formation and continued success for which we'll always be grateful.
It is anticipated that the reigns of the SCSU men's hockey program will be turned over to current assistant, Bob Motzko on an interim basis requiring the program to hire another assistant. A formal job search for the head coaching job will have to be initiated following the season with Coach Motzko being a leading contender for the position.
"You never want to rest on what you've done in the past," Dahl was quoted as saying. "You always want to try and keep improving. You always look back and find what was good and what worked, and you try and build on those successes." The successes will continue to come for Coach Dahl. It will just be in a different venue. On behalf of the hundreds of members of the Center Ice Club, we thank Craig Dahl for the great memories and wish him good luck in the future.
