DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – After leading the St. Scholastica men's hockey program to a fourth-place finish and a home playoff game in its first season in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), Head Coach Dave Williams had the interim tag removed on Thursday, the interim Director of Athletics Merissa Edwards announced.
 
Williams, who played for the Saints from 2011-15, was an assistant with the program during the abbreviated 2020-21 season and was named interim head coach back in August. Williams proceeded to lead the Saints to an 11-10-2 record this past season, including 7-6-1 in MIAC play.
 
"I am honored to be named the head coach of the St. Scholastica Men's Hockey program," said Williams. "I would like to thank Dr. Barbara McDonald and Merissa Edwards for the amazing opportunity to lead the program that I once played for. I look forward to building a team that will consistently compete for MIAC championships, while also representing the College's highest standards in the classroom and community."
 
The Saints played well at home under Williams this past season, going 7-3-1, including a victory over No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Saints also finished the season strong, winning five on their final six games to place fourth in the conference.
 
"Dave Williams has proven his strong leadership skills and commitment to CSS," said Edwards. "He will provide stability while also building a championship caliber program. I am proud to officially hire Dave as our Men's Hockey Head Coach and to keep Ross Kovacs on staff as our Men's Hockey Assistant Coach."
 
As a player for the Saints, Williams was named to the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) All-Rookie Team in 2012. He was named the team's Best Defensive Player in 2012-13 and was named assistant captain in 2013-14. He was elevated to captain for the 2014-15 season. The Okotoks, Alberta native finished his CSS career with 29 goals and 38 assists and 101 career games.