IceDogs add Paille to staff
Dan Paille is back in Niagara, both on and off the ice.
The 40-year-old Welland native, who moved back to the area last summer after residing in Guelph for the last several years, is now working in Niagara again after being hired as an assistant coach by the Niagara IceDogs.
“For me, it’s good news to be back near my hometown, lot of friends, lot of family,” Paille said. “It will be a lot of fun.
“It’s really good to be back.”
Paille brings a solid playing and coaching resume to the IceDogs.
The former Welland Cougar spent four seasons with the Guelph Storm (2000-2004) before being selected in the first round, 20th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He would go on to play 582 career NHL games with the Sabres, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers, including winning a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011.
Paille’s playing career wrapped up in 2018 when he took a position as a volunteer assistant coach with Canisius College (2019-2021). He would then gain a promotion to assistant coach, spending three seasons in that role (2021-2024).
Paille loved his time at Canisius and wasn’t necessarily looking to move, but the lure of working in his own backyard was too good to pass up.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Canisius, the players, the coaches, the staff,” Paille said. “When this came up it was hard not to have that talk.”
Paille met with IceDogs head coach Ben Boudreau and the two hit it off, sealing the deal.
“We talked about his vision and what he wanted from me,” Paille said. “It sparked a lot of interest and it came a little more naturally than I expected.
“It was an easier process than I thought and I’m grateful for that.”
Paille will be focusing on the defence and penalty killing in his role.
“Talking with Ben, even though that’s what we will be running, it’s an open dialogue,” Paille said. “If he sees something I’m happy to discuss it with him and the same with him.”
IceDogs governor Darren DeDobbelaer is happy to have Paille on board.
“Michele and I are excited to welcome Dan to our organization. Dan will be a tremendous asset to our already great coaching staff. What more can we say about Dan, a local guy, tremendous coach and a Stanley Cup champion. It doesn’t get better than this.”
Paille and his wife, Dana, are the parents of a son, Emmanuel, and a daughter, Madeleine.
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