Lynnfield Native Makes Mark In Cape Cod Hockey

Editor's Note: Thanks to the Barnstable-Hyannis Patch for providing this article.

Fans of the Cape Cod Cubs should get their creative juices flowing - naming the new International Junior Hockey League might, after all, be a daunting task.

The head coach who took the Cubs straight to the top, not once, but twice, has been awarded his own IJHL franchise and he’s going to keep it right where he’s been enjoying a lot of success lately—Hyannis.

That franchise just needs a new name.

The original Cape Cod Cubs started out in 1970 and played at what used to be the Cape Cod Coliseum. Once the Hyannis Youth and Community Center was finished in 2009, owner Scott MacPherson brought the Cubs back to a new home. 

Coach Dan Hodge started out playing youth hockey in Lynnfield and in 1991 was drafted by the Boston Bruins and played for the AHL affiliate in Providence. After he retired as a player in Oklahoma, he began coaching. When he moved back to Massachusetts about two years ago, he accepted the Cubs head coach position.

In that time, the Cubs won the regular season title and the playoff title for both of the seasons that Hodge has coached. 

And now that Hodge has his own franchise? 

“I am very excited to be carrying this new job,” Hodge stated. “I have given my heart and soul to junior hockey over the past two seasons and have truly found something that drives me and makes me happy.”

The IJHL began in 2005 with, according to its website, a mission to “develop young players to the college level. The league instills the concept of working closely with college coaches and higher tiered Junior leagues to help players get college opportunities.”

But the IJHL is concerned about more than just athletics.

“The emphasis on academics that all members put forth to help players improve their grades is a league priority,” the website claims.

Hodge mirrors that mission in his coaching. “I try to help the kids to be the best hockey players they can be,” he said. “But most important to me is that they become better people and learn something every day.” 

So what about that new name?

“It’s a contest,” Hodge explained. “I want the Cape Cod community to be involved with the naming. I am thankful to Hyannis and its people for accepting me and supporting my efforts. I will be accepting submissions at my email address.”

And in the spirit of true sportsmanship Hodge said, “None of this would have been possible without the help I have received from Wes and Chris Fries, two of the greatest people walking the face of the earth, and my assistant coaches, Wes Fries, Mike Nugnes, and David Gove.”

“I would be remiss,” he continued, “if I didn’t thank my fiancée Kathleen for always supporting me and providing me with the strength and love to accomplish everything I have in the past two seasons.”