Reid Cashman has engineered one of college hockey's most remarkable turnarounds. The 43-year-old Red Wing native, who wasn't even born the last time Dartmouth men's hockey reached the NCAA tournament, has now led the Big Green back to the national stage for the first time in 46 years. In just his fifth season at the helm, Cashman's squad captured the ECAC Hockey playoff championship, cementing a historic campaign.
For his transformative work, Cashman was honored on Tuesday with the 2026 Spencer Penrose Award, naming him the national Coach of the Year in men's college hockey. This prestigious award, selected by the American Hockey Coaches Association, marks the second consecutive year it has gone to a southeastern Minnesota native, following Rochester's Pat Ferschweiler in 2025.
"I am honored to be recognized," Cashman said. "This honor represents everyone at Dartmouth who has been a part of the growth and progress over the last six years. It starts with tremendous student-athletes that have made an incredible commitment to getting better every day."
The journey to this point underscores the scale of Cashman's achievement. After a challenging start with a combined 12-46-4 record in his first two seasons, he meticulously rebuilt the program through sharp recruiting and player development. His philosophy has unlocked potential where others saw none, fostering a culture of daily improvement.
The results speak for themselves. Over the past three seasons, Dartmouth has compiled a 54-31-15 record, securing three straight winning seasons—a stark contrast to just four in the previous 15 years. This season was the pinnacle: a 23-8-4 record, good for second in the tough ECAC, and a program-record 23 victories.
Although the NCAA tournament run ended with a first-round loss to Wisconsin, the foundation is firmly set. The Big Green's ECAC Tournament triumph, with wins over Colgate, Clarkson, and Princeton, proved they belong among the nation's elite. As Cashman and his dedicated staff look ahead, the future in Hanover looks brighter than it has in decades, built on a vision of relentless effort and team-first excellence.