GUELPH, Ont. – The University of Guelph men's hockey program has added a pair of new additions to the team's coaching staff for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Jake Grimes joins the Gryphons as the team's new associate coach, while former Gryphon captain, Ted Nichol, joins the program as an assistant coach.
"I am very excited about the additions of Jake and Ted to our coaching staff," says Gryphons head coach,
Josh Dixon, who will enter his third season as head coach of the Gryphons men's hockey program in 2025-26. "When the job was posted we had almost 70 people from across the country apply and these two individuals were the top choices and best fit for our program."
Jake Grimes arrives at the University of Guelph with an extensive coaching resumé, which includes 20 seasons of coaching experience at the CHL level, including having spent the past two seasons with the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) as an associate coach. During the 2023-24 season in Saginaw, Grimes helped guide the Spirit to their first Memorial Cup title in franchise history. "I am extremely optimistic and excited about the opportunity to work with the men's hockey program at the University of Guelph," says Grimes, whose time in the CHL saw him spend three seasons as head coach in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Eagles (2019-20 to 2021-22). "The team, the University and the city are all places I feel privileged to be associated with. I would also like to relay a special thanks to the entire Saginaw Spirit organization for two unforgettable years in Michigan." In addition to his time with the Saginaw Spirit and Cape Breton Eagles, Jake's 20 seasons of coaching experience in the CHL also include stints with the Guelph Storm (2017-18 to 2018-19), Peterborough Petes and Belleville Bulls. "Jake brings a wealth of experience as both a head and associate coach in the CHL," adds Gryphons head coach,
Josh Dixon.
"He has also been at this level before as a coach and has a son currently playing as this level so he can relate with the student-athletes in our program." During the 2022-23 season, Jake Grimes served as associate coach of the University of Waterloo Warriors men's hockey program.
University of Guelph alum, Ted Nichol, returns to his alma mater to join the staff as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. Nichol played four seasons with the Gryphons (2018-19 to 2022-23), scoring one of the most iconic goals in program history, with his triple-overtime goal versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees on March 7, 2020 securing the Queen's Cup for the Gryphons on home ice. It remains the Gryphons most recent OUA title in men's hockey. "I am very excited to come back to the University of Guelph and have the opportunity to give back to the program that has provided me with so much in the past," says Nichol, a 28-year-old from Listowel, Ontario who has spent the past three seasons playing professionally in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades and Kalamazoo Wings. "Ted is a former Gryphon captain and OUA champion who will be a tremendous asset to both our program and community," adds head coach
Josh Dixon. Prior to his four years at U of G, Nichol suited up in over 300 games over the course of five seasons (2013-14 to 2017-18) in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs.
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is set to announce the 2025-26 men's hockey schedule in the coming weeks, visit
www.gryphons.ca for the latest information.
Gryphons men's hockey coaching staff, 2025-26:
| Head Coach: |
Josh Dixon |
| Associate Coach: |
Jake Grimes |
| Assistant Coach: |
Ted Nichol |
| Assistant Coach: |
Dylan Warford |
| Goalie Coach: |
Andrew Masters |
| Strength & Conditioning: |
Mac James |
| Equipment Manager: |
Ryley Aubin |
| Assistant Equipment Manager: |
Rob Saunders |
| Head Scout: |
Keith Murray |
