Dixon Ward to Join Okanagan Hockey Ontario Staff for 2025-2026 Season
Okanagan Hockey Group (OHG) is proud to announce that Dixon Ward, Vice President of Hockey, will be relocating to Whitby for the 2025-2026 season to join the Okanagan Hockey Ontario program. Dixon will lead and direct all hockey operations and player development and will also provide strategic oversight to academy operations and serve as a key advisor to management, playing an integral part in building the profile of the program.
Dixon joined Okanagan Hockey Group after a distinguished hockey career. As an amateur, he played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at the University of North Dakota, where he became the only player in school history to record both 100 goals and 100 assists. He graduated as the fourth all-time leading scorer in the program’s storied history.
After his collegiate career, Dixon played 12 years of professional hockey, including 599 NHL games. He was a key contributor to the Buffalo Sabres’ 1999 Stanley Cup Final run, and in the AHL, he led the Rochester Americans to a Calder Cup Championship in 1996, earning the Jack Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP. He concluded his professional career with two seasons in Switzerland’s Elite League and captained Team Canada to a Spengler Cup Championship in 2003.
Widely regarded as a leading expert in young athlete development, Dixon has helped produce a multitude of NHL, National Team, NCAA, WHL, and Junior A players over the past 19 years. His deep knowledge, leadership, and mentorship have guided countless players to reach and exceed their potential.
“I am excited to support our team in Whitby and continue to build our brand in the area,” said Ward. “We have superior programming and are excited to continue to expand and become a household name in the Ontario marketplace. Our primary objective is to help athletes reach their full potential in every aspect of their lives. We understand that success in hockey is about more than just skill—it’s about developing discipline, leadership, and a strong work ethic. Our structured environment allows young athletes to thrive, surrounded by a dedicated staff and a solid support system that emphasizes our core values: effort, attention to detail, and attitude.”
General Manager, Paul Pascuzzi and Assistant GM, Pat Lenehan will continue to oversee all Academy operations. Okanagan Hockey Ontario will field U16, U17, and U18 teams for the 2025-2026 season and is currently accepting inquiries for the few remaining roster spots.
About Okanagan Hockey Ontario:
Founded in 2018, Okanagan Hockey Ontario (OHO) is dedicated to the long-term development of young athletes both on and off the ice. OHO is striving to become a cornerstone of elite youth hockey in Ontario, offering programs that emphasize academic balance, physical training, personal growth, and community involvement. With an experienced coaching staff and state-of-the-art facilities at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, OHO provides a world-class environment for athletes to excel.
For more information about our programs or to inquire about remaining roster spots for the 2025-2026 season, please contact:
Paul Pascuzzi, General Manager
📧 PaulPascuzzi@okanaganhockey.com
Dixon Ward, VP of Hockey
📧 Dixonward@okanaganhockey.com
