Stevens Point Area Senior High has named Landon Dehnel as the new varsity boys hockey head coach, filling the vacancy left by the previous staff and signaling a continued investment in the program’s growth.
A homegrown leader returns
Dehnel brings more than a decade of involvement with the SPASH hockey program, having both played in the Wisconsin Valley Conference and coached at the junior high level.
He has served as an assistant coach for the past four seasons, working closely with the varsity squad while also teaching at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School and guiding seventh‑ and eighth‑grade baseball teams.
Athletic Director David Hauser praised the appointment, emphasizing Dehnel’s intimate knowledge of the program and his dedication to developing student‑athletes both on and off the ice.
District officials noted that the SPASH hockey program enjoys strong backing from the school, the broader Stevens Point Area Public School District, and the local community, creating a fertile environment for sustained success.
In his first public remarks, Dehnel expressed honor at the prospect of leading the program he once helped shape, stating his intention to uphold the tradition of excellence while fostering new opportunities for growth.
Looking ahead
The coming seasons will test how quickly Dehnel can translate his playing experience and coaching acumen into on‑ice results, but the district remains confident that his familiarity with the team’s culture will accelerate the transition.