DAKOTA BELL NAMED NEXT FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS HEAD COACH
The Fairbanks Ice Dogs, proud members of the North American Hockey League, are excited to announce the promotion of Dakota Bell to Head Coach for the 2025-26 season. Dakota has been an integral part of the coaching staff since joining the organization in 2022.
Dakota spent his first two seasons with the Ice Dogs as an Assistant Coach before being promoted to Associate Head Coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. His leadership, work ethic, and commitment to player development has played a key role in the team’s continued success on and off the ice.
During Dakota’s tenure with the Ice Dogs, there has been significant success among individual players. Notably, Fairbanks has progressed five defensemen on to NCAA Division I status and has produced both an All-NAHL Second Team defenseman and a First Team NAHL Midwest Division defenseman. Furthermore, in two of Dakota’s three seasons, Fairbanks has had one of the top two point-producing defensemen in the Midwest Division.
Before joining the Ice Dogs, Dakota was a Graduate Assistant Coach at New England College for two seasons. He also served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach with NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University Falcons for several seasons while coaching youth hockey in Northwest Ohio.
Dakota holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from New England College, earned in 2022, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University, earned in 2019.
The Ice Dogs organization is excited to begin this new chapter under Coach Dakota Bell’s leadership and looks forward to continued success in the seasons ahead.
“I am honored to be selected as the next Head Coach of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs,” says Dakota. “The opportunity to lead such a storied organization in the North American Hockey League is one that I am grateful for. Working with our General Manager, Rob Proffitt, for the past three seasons has allowed me to grow as both a person and hockey coach. I look forward to continuing to work alongside him and Senior Consultant, Trevor Stewart, as we strive to build upon the rich history that previous coaches and players have established here in Fairbanks.
“Fairbanks is a tremendous hockey community and one that is starving for the 4th Robertson Cup in franchise history. Having the Ice Dog logo on your chest comes with a responsibility to uphold the principles and values that it stands for. We will be relentless in our daily preparation with specific attention to detail. We will play tenaciously and energize the crowd at the Big Dipper night in and night out. A deep respect for those that we share the ice with is required as we understand how strong of a league the NAHL is.
“I am excited to take on the responsibility of developing our players’ skillsets both on and off the ice. We want to give players the opportunity to earn a scholarship playing the game that we all love. The easiest way to achieve that goal is to do it together with team success.”
Fairbanks Ice Dogs General Manager has this to say about Dakota. “I am very excited to announce Dakota Bell as the new Head Coach of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Since joining the Dogs, he has shown the level of commitment, detail and work ethic to be put in this spot as the new bench boss. With his tireless approach to the game on a daily basis the future looks very bright for the Dogs. I now look forward to watching this young man continue to develop himself, as well as lead this group of players with standards, accountability and a no-nonsense approach that will make it enjoyable to come to the rink every day and get better. I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate his significant other, Alicia Lydon, as she joins him in this journey. We will start immediately on our search for an assistant coach to join Dakota as we start another chapter in Ice Dog Hockey.”
The Ice Dogs would also like to extend best wishes and good luck to Coach Ryan Theros as he starts his journey with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Men’s Division I hockey program.
“Accepting the job with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks is a very exciting opportunity, and I want to sincerely thank the entire Fairbanks Ice Dogs organization from top to bottom for everything during my time at the helm. I cannot say enough great things about the organization,” says Ryan.
“A special thank you to Rob Proffitt, as well as Dakota and Trevor, for being part of a very committed and cohesive staff.
“When I was hired as the head coach, we had a clear plan to bring the Ice Dogs back to their roots, not just in the win column, but developing players, as well as becoming a playoff team again and returning the Alaska Cup to Fairbanks. I am proud to say we achieved that, everyone played a part in those accomplishments, and I am incredibly proud of what we have done to this point and I believe there is great success ahead for the Dogs.
“I am truly fortunate to have coached the incredible group of players who wore the Ice Dogs jersey during my time here. I want to thank each and every one of them. To the fans, thank you for being the most diehard fans in junior hockey and we could not have any success without all of you!
“I will be looking forward to watching the Ice Dogs and wish continued success for the organization, staff and players moving forward. It will be great and kinda weird to be at some Dogs games in a different position, but we will see you all at the Dipper!”
“I am so happy for Ryan in his next step in joining the staff with the UAF Hockey Team,” says Rob Proffitt. “I am very grateful for his time with the Dogs and the steps we took as an organization. For me personally, there is no greater gratification than when someone from our organization has an opportunity to climb the ladder and further their career. Ryan has earned this opportunity, and I wish him nothing but success in his next chapter in the greatest game in the world.”
