GUELPH, Ont. - After an extensive national search, the University of Guelph Department of Athletics and Recreation is excited to announce the hiring of Josh Dixon as its next men's hockey head coach.
Dixon joins the Gryphons with 23 years of experience within the Canadian hockey sport system and has proven himself to be a leader who is focused on the wholistic development of the student-athlete.
"We are very excited to have Josh join our team of exceptional coaches and professionals," said University of Guelph Director of Athletics, Scott McRoberts. "We believe he has the insight, vision, and skill set required to lead our men's hockey program forward towards an exciting new chapter. Our hiring committee was very impressed with his plan to lead our program back to national prominence, and we are excited for our student-athletes, alumni, and community." The hiring process included interviews with University of Guelph Department of Athletics senior leaders, coaches, and staff, as well as U of G faculty members, alumni, and current members of the men's hockey team.
As a coach, Dixon arrives in Guelph with nine years of experience coaching in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), most recently with the Prince George Cougars (WHL) where he was the Associate Coach for the past two seasons. Previous CHL experience includes serving as Head Coach of the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs (2017-19), Assistant Coach of the WHL's Swift Current Broncos (2014-2015) and Associate Coach with the WHL's Regina Pats (2011-2014). He also has eight years of experience at the U SPORTS level, serving in Associate and Assistant Coach roles at Mount Royal University (2008-2010), the University of Calgary (2006-2008) and Carleton University (2002-2006). His coaching experience also includes involvement with the Team Canada Program of Excellence, serving in roles as Head and Assistant Coach at the U16, U17 and U20 levels.
The Oakville, Ontario native comes to Guelph with an impressive academic resume that includes a Master's degree in Sports Psychology from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor's degree (Political Science and History) from Carleton University and a High Performance Coaching Diploma from the National Coaching Institute.
Dixon's professional experience also includes working as the Director of Player Development for the Hockey Division at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the most valuable talent agency in the world according to Forbes, whose clients include some of the best hockey players in the world. There are over 40 current NHL players (including eight on the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights) that Dixon either helped develop while at CAA or has coached over his career.
"It is an honour to join the University of Guelph Gryphons and such an impressive athletics department with an established tradition of success, both in student-athlete development and experience in addition to championship achievement at both the provincial and national levels," said Dixon. "I look forward to the opportunity to lead the men's hockey program back to national prominence and be a part of the excellent culture the Gryphons have created."
Josh and his wife Laura live in Georgetown with their two sons, Jake (5) and Hudson (1).
Josh's first official day as head coach of the men's hockey program at the University of Guelph will take place on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Media Inquiries
Email: Michelle Pino (mpino@uoguelph.ca)
