New assistant coach and former Prince Albert Northern Bears captain Paige Dawson is back in Saskatchewan and she’s bringing her college hockey experience with her. Dawson says she’s now seeing the team through a new lens, having previously spent four seasons as a Northern Bears defencemen, earning the C in her final year. “You have so much responsibility,” Dawson said about her switch to coaching. “When you’re playing hockey, it’s only you [that] you have to worry about. But now you have 20 girls that you have to guide and make sure you know you’re doing everything you can in their benefit.” After high school, Dawson played for Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, competing at the ACHA Division I level. She was selected to the ACHA D1 all-star team during her rookie season and was named an assistant captain in her third year. Following a serious concussion, Dawson is finding her footing in a new role. “I decided to hang up the skates as a lookout for my future and my academics… and now I get to coach, so it’s the best of both worlds.” Dawson was born and raised in Prince Albert and says her time down south has given her more insight into the billeting players experience. “I firmly believe that a team sport is like a family. So, living so far away in St. Louis, Missouri, you become part of this family that’s so far away from home,” she explained. “The girls here also are away from home. So, I want everybody on the team to feel like they’re home… and that they have like a sense of belonging here.” Head coach Steve Young thought of his former player when looking for a new assistant coach. “It’s exciting to have a local girl back,” he said. “Hockey has a lot of avenues, and I think for her now, coaching is something she wants to get into and no better place than Prince Albert.” Dawson says she’s excited for the rest of the season, and the team is excited to have her back home.
