HAMILTON – Colgate Men’s Hockey Head Coach Don Vaughan has announced the promotion of Dana Borges to Associate Head Coach.
Now having wrapped up his third season, Borges joined the Colgate hockey program as an assistant coach for the 2018-19 campaign after previously serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Raiders in the 2016-17 season.
“Dana is one of the brightest young minds in college hockey and in my opinion, he is one of the very best coaches in the country,” Vaughan said. “He is an excellent recruiter and clearly understands what it takes for a student-athlete to succeed at Colgate, both on the ice and in the classroom. He works incredibly hard and has helped us clearly define our culture. I am grateful for his loyalty and all he brings to Colgate Hockey, and to the campus and Hamilton communities.”
Borges’ most recent recruiting class included two players who were named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team, while the group included the addition of two NHL Draftees.
“Dana’s promotion to Associate Head Coach and added responsibilities is just one more step towards his goal of becoming a head coach,” Vaughan said. “I appreciate the support of our Athletic Director Dr. Nicki Moore and for her understanding like mine of the value Dana Borges brings to the Colgate Hockey program.”
In his first season with the Raiders, Borges helped lead the Colgate program to four wins over nationally ranked opponents in the 2018-19 campaign. Borges worked extensively with special teams where the Raiders held their opponents scoreless on the power play on 16 occasions.
“We talk about trust within our program on a daily basis,” Borges said. “To have earned the trust of Coach Vaughan, our administration, and our players to take on an expanded role is an honor.
“Coach Vaughan has provided me with incredible leadership and autonomy necessary to grow during my time at Colgate. Together, we have revamped our recruiting philosophies and installed a student-athlete centered development model and both are already yielding great results. Colgate has become my home and I am excited to see continued growth within the program.”
Borges continues to connect with Raiders who go on to play professional hockey in the ECHL, AHL, and European leagues after their time at Colgate. Last season, Bobby McMann ’20 signed with the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL.
“Dana has always shown strong abilities as a coach through both his leadership on the bench and his passion to develop players individually,” said McMann. “He works every day studying the game to learn the latest skills and habits out there so that he can provide the team and players with the best opportunity for success.
“He played a huge role in my development by helping me improve not only my skating and skills on the ice but also helping me deal with the pressures I faced off the ice. Dana has always been someone to connect well with the players and will undoubtedly continue to lead the program in the right direction.”
Prior to coming to Hamilton, Borges joined the University of Alaska-Anchorage men’s hockey program as an assistant coach and spent the 2017-18 season at Williams College (MA) as an assistant coach. Getting his start in collegiate coaching, Borges spent two and a half seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Stonehill College, where the Skyhawks went 42-25-8.
“Dana’s passion for the game is unparalleled,” said graduate captain Paul McAvoy. “He’s always searching for innovative ways to improve our collective and personal development through his commitment, leadership, and loyalty. Over the last few years, Dana has helped me grow as a player, leader, and person in unimaginable ways. I could not be prouder and more excited for this next step in Dana’s coaching career.”
Over the same time period, Borges served as the USA Hockey Associate Coach in Chief for the Massachusetts District-Director of ADM as well as a camp coach at the 2016 USA Hockey National U-17 Camp. Borges is still active in the USA Hockey coaching community today.
A four-year letter winner at Stonehill, Borges served as a two-time captain and was named Northeast-10 Man of the Year in 2013, as well as a Capital One All-American. After his successful collegiate career at Stonehill, Borges played professionally for one season with the Evry Peaux Rouges of the French Division.
A native of Taunton, Massachusetts, Borges graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stonehill in 2013 with a degree in sociology.
(Colgate Men’s Hockey Photo)
