SPASH turns to familiar face in naming new boys hockey head coach

By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT — Stevens Point Area Senior High is keeping its boys hockey program in familiar hands.

The school has named Landon Dehnel as the Panthers’ new varsity boys hockey head coach, promoting a longtime assistant who has spent the past four seasons behind the SPASH bench.

Dehnel knows the program well. He played hockey in the Wisconsin Valley Conference before returning to SPASH as a coach, and he currently teaches at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School, where he also coaches seventh- and eighth-grade baseball.

Athletic Director David Hauser said Dehnel’s ties to the program and commitment to developing student-athletes made him a natural fit for the position.

“Landon has been a part of the SPASH hockey program and Wisconsin Valley Conference hockey as a player, and we are excited to have Landon move into the head coaching position,” Hauser said. “He understands the tradition and expectations of Panther hockey and brings enthusiasm, knowledge of the game, and a genuine commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the ice. We look forward to supporting Landon as he leads our program into the future.”

Dehnel said he’s honored to lead a program that has meant so much to him.

“I am honored to be named the next coach for SPASH Hockey,” he said. “I have been extremely fortunate to be with the program the last four seasons. The support that the SPASH hockey program receives from the school, district and community is second to none. It is truly a special place to be and to play hockey. I look forward to continuing the success and tradition that SPASH Hockey has accumulated over the decades. Go Panthers!”

The Stevens Point Area Public School District said in a press release that it looks forward to seeing the program continue to grow under Dehnel’s leadership as he begins the next chapter of Panthers hockey.