The Fairbanks Ice Dogs Announce Coaching Change

The Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League are pleased to announce the promotion of Dakota Bell as the organization’s sixth head coach.

Bell began working for the Ice Dogs as an Assistant Coach for the 2022-2023 season. He spent two years as an Assistant Coach before being promoted to Associate Head Coach before the 2024-2025 season. With the help of his leadership and dedication to development, Bell has helped guide five Fairbanks defensemen onto the NCAA Division I level. 

Before working with Fairbanks, Bell served as a Graduate Assistant Coach at New England College for two years. The Ohio native served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach with Bowling Green State University while coaching youth hockey in his home state.

Bell earned a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from New England College in 2022 and graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Bell shares his excitement for being named the Ice Dogs' sixth head coach.

“I am honored to be selected as the next Head Coach of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. 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 a 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.”

He went on to explain what it means to continue to work with the Ice Dogs organization. 

“Fairbanks is a tremendous hockey community and one that is starving for their third Robertson Cup in organization 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.”

Fairbanks’ General Manager, Rob Proffitt, went on to explain more on the decision of naming Bell as the next head coach. 

“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 daily the future looks very bright for the Ice 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 on 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.”

Former Ice Dogs Head Coach, Ryan Theros, will not be moving far. Theros was named as the newest Assistant Coach for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks. The NAHL prides itself on not just the development of players, but of coaches as well. 

Theros explains in gratitude to the Ice Dogs organization and excitement for the next step in his career.

“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. A special thank you to Rob Proffitt, as well as Dakota and Trevor, for being part of a very committed and cohesive staff.”

“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 Ice 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.”