TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Walleye announced Thursday that head coach Dan Watson will return to the team for 2019-2020 season.
“I’m excited to stay in Toledo and continue to grow as a coach,” says Watson. “The last five years here in this great hockey city we’ve put together a product that people can be proud of.”
The club says Watson's new deal is a three-year contract. This year will be Watson's fourth season at the helm of the Walleye and twelfth season in the city. He finished his playing career with the Toledo Storm during the 2006-07 season and spent seven seasons as an assistant with the Walleye before being promoted to head coach for the 2016-17 season.
“He’s been through the thick and thin of all 10 seasons of Toledo Walleye hockey,” says Walleye general manager Neil Neukam. “His record as head coach speaks for itself. He’s done a great job building competitive teams and getting players ready to take the next step in their careers.”
In his three seasons with the Walleye, Watson has compiled a regular season record of 141-57-11-7. Under his leadership, the team captured the 2017 Brabham Cup for best regular season record and are the 2019 Western Conference Champions, playing in the Kelly Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.