For the first time in 44 years, Dartmouth men’s hockey claimed the Ivy League title outright, capping off a successful regular season with a 5-1 win over Yale on Saturday, March 2.
The victory marked the Big Green’s 15th overall Ivy League title and their first Ivy League championship of any kind since the 2006-07 season. It also solidified a turning point for a program that has steadily rebuilt its identity under the leadership of head coach Reid Cashman.
For CJ Foley ’27, the victory was a culmination of something the group had worked toward all year.
“Even going into the season, that was our goal — to make a playoff run — and we got off to a hot start,” he said. “There was never really a question of ‘can we?’ It was always our goal, and we always thought we could.”
Dartmouth rode that belief into the postseason, beginning their ECAC playoff run at home with a 6-2 victory over St. Lawrence University in the opening round on March 8. The win showcased the team’s offensive depth and set up a familiar quarterfinals matchup with Union College, the same opponent the Big Green swept in two games a year prior.
This season, history seemed to repeat itself.
The Big Green edged the Dutchmen 3-2 on March 14, and then dominated the following night with a 7-2 win at Messa Rink in Schenectady, N.Y. The sweep earned Dartmouth a spot in the ECAC semifinals for the first time in back-to-back seasons since 2005-06 and 2006-07.
As the playoff push gained momentum, the team also picked up a slew of individual and coaching accolades, underscoring their impact across the conference.
Foley — an anchor on both ends of the ice—was named Ivy League Player of the Year, First Team All-Ivy and was unanimously selected to the ECAC First Team. He was also a finalist for ECAC Player of the Year.
“As much as I can impact the team offensively, I try to do my best to help the team out on the defensive end too,” Foley said. “I try to be a good teammate and help the younger guys out. I’m proud of breaking out of the box and my defensive ability this year.”
Forwards Hayden Stavroff ’28 and Cooper Flinton ’26, along with goalie Emmett Croteau ’27, were named to the All-Ivy Second Team, reflecting the program’s promising future. Cam MacDonald ’26 earned Academic All-Ivy recognition for his performance in the classroom.
Behind the bench, Cashman and his staff were honored as the ECAC Coaching Staff of the Year — a recognition that affirmed the culture shift since Cashman took the helm in 2020.
“Since I got here a couple years ago, there’s been a lot of focus on detail, everyday habits, and not worrying too much about the bigger picture,” MacDonald said.
Forward Nikita Nikora ’27 — a core element of that new wave — said the turnaround has been both meaningful and personal.
“It’s one of the best moments of my life. There’s no other group of guys I would rather do this with,” Nikora said. “It means a lot to every single one of us—coaching staff, athletic directors, trainers…it’s a special moment.”
With momentum on their side and accolades in tow, Dartmouth traveled to Lake Placid, N.Y., to face off against No. 18 Clarkson in the ECAC Semifinals. The game took place at the legendary Herb Brooks Arena — home of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
It was the program’s deepest playoff run in nearly a decade and a chance to add another chapter to an already historic season.
After a scoreless first period, Clarkson broke through just over a minute into the second frame. They doubled their lead four minutes later and extended it with a power-play goal early in the third period to make it 3-0.
The Big Green responded with a goal of their own, scored by John Fusco ’25 with 4:28 remaining, but Clarkson sealed the win with an empty-netter, ending Dartmouth’s season with a 4-1 defeat.
Still, the loss couldn’t dampen what had been a season of revival for a program hungry to reassert itself among the ECAC’s elite. Foley emphasized that while the ECAC semifinal loss stung, it also fueled the team going forward.
“The program is headed for great things,” Foley said. “We took an Ivy League Championship, which was a special moment in this program, and we just fell short of the ECAC title. That’s our next step.”
That sentiment was echoed by Nikora, who emphasized how much the coaching staff has shaped the team’s direction.
“Before I came to Dartmouth, I knew the team was struggling, but Cashman and the other coaches are doing a great job of recruiting new players and making sure we’re like a family,” Nikora said. “We can see the improvement, and I know next year is going to be an even better year.”
That ambition also includes a broader vision — one that looks beyond the conference.
“Another goal is to make a run in the NCAA Tournament, as this program has done in the past, and to do big things there too,” Foley said.
Dartmouth ended the season with an 18-13-2 record, a five-win improvement from the previous season’s result.
In many ways, the team’s bond off the ice was just as important as their chemistry on it.
“Something I don’t think many people realize is just how close our group is,” MacDonald said. “There’s a great culture around our team, and I think it really builds on itself when all the guys are so close together. There are a lot of great friendships on the team and a lot of great camaraderie.”
That closeness was visible throughout the season, especially in the resilience shown in both tough losses and gritty wins. The Big Green weren't just a team; they were a family. This year, Dartmouth proved it could rise to the moment. With a young core returning, a clear identity in place and an award-winning coaching staff at the helm, the Big Green know what they’re capable of.
The belief is already there. Next season, so is the expectation.
