Cashman Reflects on Experience Coaching World Juniors

Reid Cashman, the Koenig Family Head Coach of Dartmouth Men's Hockey, has an extensive background in the sport of hockey.

But nothing beat an experience over the winter when he served as assistant coach with the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

"As I look at my professional career, it's by far the biggest honor I've had," said Cashman.

It was also a unique experience, and challenge, that will only help Cashman's overall growth as a coach.

"The championship is U-20, so 20 years and younger," he said. "It's the best from each country. All of our kids were playing in college hockey. The Canadians had maybe two college hockey players. Other countries featured all professionals.
Reid Cashman Team USA

"For Team Canada, three guys who were in the NHL came to play in this tournament."

In other words, it's a big deal.

The environment is significantly different than college hockey for a variety of reasons, one of the main reasons being related to time.

"It's a short tournament," said Cashman. "Our team and staff are coming from all over the country with very limited time to prepare. Lots of what we did was try to get to know each guy individually and put them in the best place to succeed. Trust that they're there because they're elite hockey players and try not to overcoach them.

"Make them comfortable and confident, and just rely on their habits to play really good hockey on a really big stage."

The United States went on to play really good hockey, finishing the tournament with a 4-1-0-2 record to capture USA's 14th tournament medal. In the bronze medal game, the Red, White and Blue defeated Sweden in overtime, 8-7.
Reid Cashman with team USA after winning Bronze at World Juniors

Reid Cashman with team USA after winning Bronze at World Juniors

"To win a medal, to have it around your neck and to have the whole team on the blue line watching the American flag go up to the rafters, be arm-and-arm knowing that you were part of something so much bigger than yourself, it was an unbelievable memory I'll have for the rest of my life," said Cashman.

Cashman will also bring so much from the World Juniors experience to the rest of his life, including back to Dartmouth.

"Throughout my career, you realize you work for good people and you're around other hockey people, but the people who have taught me the most have been the players — through different ways and avenues," he said. "I took away so much from a guy like Jack Peart or Luke Hughes or Logan Cooley. It was fun to get to know these really elite hockey players, the best-of-the-best, and pick their brains.

"There are little things they did that I can now try to bring back to Dartmouth."

Anytime there's an opportunity to bring the Dartmouth brand to the national or international stage, it's an opportunity worth taking.

"We have alums in the NHL. We have alums in the Hall of Fame," said Cashman. "We believe Dartmouth hockey is an elite hockey program and has a rich history and tradition. We're trying to build it to a championship level. I was so proud to be able to represent Dartmouth on one of hockey's biggest stages.

"Since 1905, Dartmouth has been such a great program and has been represented on so many different stages," Cashman continued. "I was happy to be able to wear that D and do my part with Team USA."

Cashman certainly did his part — running the defensemen, doing the pre-scout videos for upcoming opponents and helping with the penalty kill.
Reid Cashman men's hockey action versus Colgate

Reid Cashman men's hockey action versus Colgate

"Overall, our staff was very much on the same page with how we wanted to play as a team," he said.

While Cashman was in Nova Scotia, the Big Green assistant coaches led the Dartmouth program.

"I really believe in Jason Tapp and Troy Thibodeau," said Cashman. "They're both excellent at what they do. I was excited for them to have the opportunity to run our program for a month, and they both did an excellent job. Jason was the acting coach, but they both have so much responsibility within our program. I have all the faith in the world in those guys.

"Part of why I'm so optimistic about our future is having those two guys on our staff."

Cashman can attest to the importance of good assistant coaches. He was one for Team USA and it led to a medal while representing his country.

One of the biggest honors, and best moments, of his life.