GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart Hockey Head Coach Mark Taylor recently announced that Dawson Garcia will serve as his assistant coach for the 2026-27 season. Garcia replaces Alec Marsh, who accepted a position on the Penn State hockey staff as director of player personnel and video.
 
"I'm excited to add Dawson to our staff," Taylor said. "The past two years he has been at Niagara University working with three of my former Hobart assistants, so I know firsthand the mentorship he has received. He knows a lot about what Hobart hockey is all about. He also brings years of skill development and power skating teaching experience that will be a direct benefit to our players. His hunger and professionalism matched our mantra of full effort with complete character. I'm excited to have Dawson and his wife, Rachael, part of the Hobart hockey family."

Garcia comes to Hobart after spending the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant coach for Niagara. With the Purple Eagles, he helped scout opponents by preparing video breakdowns for team and individual meetings. Garcia led on-ice drills during team practices and helped with individual skill development. He designed and implemented a faceoff scout that contributed to a top-10 NCAA ranking in both of his seasons at Niagara (4th in 2024-25, 9th in 2025-26). Garcia earned a master's in sports management from Niagara.
 
Garcia has also been a head instructor for Paul Vincent's Hockey Academy since 2023, where he leads on-ice development programs for players of all ages. In addition, he is the founder and organizer of DG Hockey, where he runs seasonal skill development sessions for youth and high school athletes.
 
Garcia graduated from Westfield State University with a bachelor's degree in movement science in 2024. He was a four-year member of the Owls' hockey team, serving as captain during his senior season.
 
During his last season of juniors, he recorded 33 assists and 39 points for the Kitchener Dutchmen while playing with Braeden Bowman, who plays for the Vegas Golden Knights.
 
Marsh's departure for Penn State continues a trend of Hobart assistant coaches to the Division I ranks. In fact, Taylor's last five assistant coaches all have joined Division I staffs: Marsh to Penn State, Niko Kovachis to Niagara, Tom Fiorentino '14 to Bentley, Mark Phalon to Alaska Anchorage now Niagara, and Sean Flanagan to UMass Lowell now Cornell.
 
"We can't thank Marshy enough." Taylor said. "He will do well at Penn State. I know how special it is to get one of your own players back on staff, and it's also pretty special for the player to be back helping his alma mater too. The team and I are happy for him." 
 
 
Hobart kicks off the 2026-27 campaign on Oct. 30, when it hosts Route 14 rival Elmira at The Cooler.