Dan Watson

On Episode 43 of Crunch Chronicles, presented by Wendy's, Lukas Favale is joined by Dan Watson.  Watson played three seasons with the Crunch at the beginning of the team's affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Undrafted, Watson joined the Crunch as a rookie in the 2000-01 season, skating in 59 games and contributing seven points from the blueline. The defenseman also appeared in four Calder Cup Playoffs games that season for the Crunch. Watson returned for his second season in Syracuse in 2001-02, adding four points in 53 games to help the Crunch win their first division championship. The second-year-pro was injured late in the season and missed the team's playoff run that season. He came back for the final year of his contract in 2002-03, finding his way with nine points in 50 Crunch games. He was traded midseason, and finished the campaign in Cleveland. In total, Watson amassed 20 points in his 162 career Crunch games from 2000 to 2003. He would play four more seasons in the AHL, ECHL and UHL before retiring from playing following the 2006-07 season.  The Ontario native remains in hockey, and began his coaching career as an assistant for the ECHL's Toledo Walleye in 2009-10. He has remained with the Walleye ever since, becoming head coach ahead of the 2016-17 season. Watson has twice led the Walleye to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2019 and 2022. On the show, Watson discusses his time in Syracuse, how the seeds of his coaching career were planted in Syracuse, and much more.