Fighting Saints Add Oliver David to Coaching Staff

Press Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Dubuque Fighting Saints announced today that Oliver David has been named the team's new assistant coach. David, 34, comes to Dubuque from the Kenai River Brown Bears of the North American Hockey League where he served as the team's head coach since 2009. David is the first addition to the staff since Matt Shaw was named Head Coach and General Manager earlier this month. David replaces Joe Coombs, who recently departed the Fighting Saints to become the head coach of Rio Grande Valley in the NAHL.

"What stood out with Oliver is that he is been a head coach at a high level in a geographically- challenged area and put together teams that consistently performed well," said Dubuque Head Coach and General Manager Matt Shaw. "That takes a lot of work and diligence. His head coaching experience at the junior level will be valuable to our players, Assistant Coach Mike Field, and myself. He compliments the staff well and is a dedicated coach, bringing all the qualities we want in Dubuque."

A native of Los Angeles, California, David started the 2009-2010 season as an assistant coach with Kenai River. The Brown Bears struggled at the start of the season, and David was promoted to interim head coach. The following season the interim tag was removed, and David transformed Kenai River into a successful organization, guiding the club to 87-74-17 record during his tenure, including a franchise best 31-25-4 mark in 2011-2012.

Prior to his time in Alaska, David spent a number of years coaching hockey in California, spending three years coaching the LA Selects 14U, 16U, and 18U AAA teams. During his time with the LA Selects he helped his squads earn a pair of state championships and served as an assistant coach for the organization's Midget Major team that was a USA Hockey National Championship Quarterfinalist in 2008. He also spent two seasons with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, and two with the California Wave, where he guided both programs to a state championship in his time behind the bench. With the Wave in 2006, David served as an assistant coach on the 16U AAA team that claimed a Pacific District Championship and a USA Hockey National Championship.

David also has extensive experience coaching with USA Hockey, serving as a coach at the National Select Festivals and an evaluator for the Pacific District. In 2009, David was as an assistant coach for the USA Inline Men's National Team, which earned a silver medal at the IIHF World Championships.

David was selected among 30 worthy candidates that applied for the position. He will start work with the Fighting Saints immediately while helping Kenai River find his successor. David is expected to report Dubuque in mid-July. 

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)