Capitals Assistant Coach Reid Cashman Is New Head Coach of Dartmouth Men’s Hockey

Washington Capitals assistant coach Reid Cashman was named the Koenig Family Head Coach of Men’s Hockey at Dartmouth on Monday. He will remain with the Caps for the 2020 playoffs, if they are indeed held this summer, and then will move to his new job.

John Buccigross was the first to report that Cashman has “emerged as favorite” for the job this morning.

Cashman’s main focus in the Capitals organization was the blueline, which had seen its share of recent struggles under his command this season.

Here is the full news release from Dartmouth Sports:

HANOVER, N.H. – Dartmouth Director of Athletics and Recreation Harry Sheehy has announced the hiring of Reid Cashman as the new Koenig Family Head Coach of Dartmouth Men’s Hockey. Cashman comes to Hanover as the 22nd head coach in program history after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). A former defenseman, Cashman is a 2007 graduate of Quinnipiac, where he was an All-American, a First-Team All-ECAC Hockey selection and a Hobey Baker Top-10 Finalist (2005). Following his professional playing career, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach, helping the Bobcats reach two Frozen Fours in 2013 and 2016. ”I feel like I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to be the head coach of the Dartmouth men’s hockey program,” Cashman said. “For 114 years, Dartmouth has competed at the highest level and has produced Olympians, All-Americans and NHL players. Along with the great history on the ice, Dartmouth College has been one of the finest institutions in the world for more than 250 years. It is truly an honor to be given this prestigious opportunity. ”I would like to thank Harry Sheehy, [Senior Associate Athletics Director] Richard Whitmore, [Deputy Athletics Director] Bob Ceplikas and all the individuals I met during the interview process who gave great insight on the culture and passion of Dartmouth and the men’s hockey program,” Cashman continued. ”I am following a legendary coach, alum and person in Bob Gaudet. Coach Gaudet has run the program with integrity and class for the last 23 years. The standard has been set and I look forward to building on the foundation that he has laid.” While in the Washington organization, Cashman was integral in bringing along the franchise’s young talent, as he was responsible for building staff and running the Capitals’ Development Camps. On the bench with the Caps, Cashman oversaw the defense and penalty kill. Under his guidance this season, Washington blueliner John Carlson was the NHL leader in both points (75) and assists (60) by a defenseman at the time of the stoppage. Before making it to the NHL on Todd Reirden’s staff, he was an assistant with the Hershey Bears — the Capitals’ AHL affiliate — for two seasons. ”I am thrilled to welcome Reid, his wife Stefanie and daughters Maggie and Sophia to the Upper Valley and the Dartmouth community,” Sheehy said. “Reid’s professionalism, passion and purpose were evident to all who engaged with him. Our department, players and alumni were all struck by his excitement and vision for the program. Personally, I was impressed by his track record of success in both recruiting and player development. ”Additionally, Reid possesses a great appreciation for the history and tradition of men’s hockey at Dartmouth,” Sheehy added. “He is a terrific fit for Dartmouth, and I could not be more excited for the future. I want to extend my thanks to both Bob Ceplikas and Richard Whitmore for their work and leadership in the search process. Welcome, Cashman family.” Cashman was behind the bench in Hamden with the Bobcats for five seasons, twice reaching the Frozen Four and finishing as the national finalist (2013, 2016). During that five-year run, Quinnipiac won the conference’s regular-season title three times, claimed the program’s first postseason tournament in 2016 and reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his final four seasons. From the start of the 2012-13 season through his final year in 2015-16, Cashman helped the Bobcats to the second-most wins in the nation, as well as the top power-play and penalty-kill figures. He was elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2014-15 campaign. As a player, Cashman was a two-time captain at Quinnipiac in addition to his on-ice accolades. His 125 career assists and 148 points are both still school records for defensemen more than a dozen years after graduating. An All-American in each of his last three seasons with the Bobcats, Cashman was also recognized as a member of the ECAC Hockey All-Decade team for the 2000s and was named one of the top-50 players in league history. After leaving Hamden, Cashman signed with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. He would also play for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, while suiting up for Columbia, Wheeling and Cincinnati — where he won the 2010 Kelly Cup — of the ECHL before capping his pro career with EHC Black Wings Linz of the Austrian Erste Bank Ice Hockey League. Following his playing career in the AHL, ECHL and in Europe, Cashman joined the coaching staff at his alma mater in 2011, helping the Bobcats become one of the nation’s perennial powers. A native of Red Wing, Minnesota, Cashman and his wife Stefanie have two daughters, Maggie (3) and newborn Sophia. Cashman will remain with the Capitals through the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs that are set to begin this summer, joining the Big Green on a full-time basis shortly after the conclusion of the team’s postseason run.

The Capitals tweeted their congratulations as soon as the news was announced:

Best of luck in Hanover, Coach Cashman!