Dominick Dawes, who led Neumann College to a 21-9-2 record and the school’s first NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey National Championship, has been named the 41st recipient of the 2009 Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the Men’s Division III Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. Dawes, who was a first-year head coach this season, becomes the first Neumann coach to win the honor.

Neumann finished strong, winning its last nine games, to capture both the ECAC West and NCAA Men’s Division III championships. In the ECAC West Tournament, the Knights survived three one-goal games, defeating in succession, Utica (4-3), Elmira (2-1), and Hobart (3-2). The streak continued into the NCAA’s where Neumann edged Plattsburgh, 5-4 in overtime, before prevailing in the championships by scores of 2-0 and 4-1 over Hobart and Gustavus Adolphus, respectively.

Dawes, a native of Utica, NY, played college hockey at Norwich University, graduating in 2004. As a player, he participated in three NCAA “Frozen Four” events and his 2003 team captured the NCAA championship. After two years of playing minor league hockey, Dawes began his coaching career in 2006 as an assistant at Hamilton College, where he remained for two seasons.

The Edward Jeremiah Award is named in honor of the great Dartmouth College head coach and was first presented in 1970. The runners-up for this year’s Edward Jeremiah Award were Bob Emery of SUNY Plattsburgh and Brett Petersen of Gustavus Adolphus College.

The Coach of the Year Awards are chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Winners will receive their awards at the annual AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet, held in conjunction with the AHCA Convention in Naples, FL. This year’s banquet is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.