Personnel

Kenji Yamada (Owner, President & C.E.O.)

Mr. Kenji Yamada has moved his NAHL franchise to the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena in Jamestown, New York.  As owner and President of the Ironmen, Mr. Yamada enters his third year in the North American Hockey League.  Mr. Yamada stated in his opening press conference he has acquired a fondness for Jamestown, the Arena and Western New York as a whole.

As Manager and team development advisor for Japan’s U20 National Hockey Team, Kenji Yamada has been engaged in training and development of hockey players in Japan. He is also the founder of the 13 Leaves Ice Hockey School in Tokyo, introducing ice hockey to the Japanese society, expanding the population of recreational ice hockey players, and developing hockey fans in Japan. He is also contributing to the top athlete development for Japanese ice hockey, aiming to make team Japan competitive in the top league of the international championship.

Kenji Yamada has over 15 years of experience in business management within the fields of international trading, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.

The managing partner for CMOE Asia, the Pacific Rim, Mr. Yamada worked for one of the top global pharmaceutical companies as VP of HR-GA. Before this assignment, he also performed as the department head of the organization Mr. Yamada started his career as Accounting and Financial controller in Japanese trading company. Then he was stationed in its European branch for 4 years. After receiving his master’s degree in the US, he also worked for a global strategic consulting firm.

“I’m thankful for the support the NAHL, the arena and the local community has shown for our organization,” said Mr. Yamada. “Our relocation is sure to be a positive move for junior hockey in Western New York and the surrounding areas, and it’s our hope to showcase a competitive and entertaining product for both the community and the NAHL.” 

Dan Daikawa (Head Coach & GM)

Dan Daikawa Head Coach / GM of the Ironmen comes to the NAHL from Miami University.  The last four years, Daikawa served as the head coach of the Miami University club team of the American Collegiate Hockey Association where he guided the program to four consecutive national tournament appearances.
 
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the Ironmen and begin our quest to establish the team as a top NAHL program, on and off the ice,” said Daikawa. “I'd like to thank Ironmen president Kenji Yamada for the trust he's placed in me to pursue this great challenge.”
 
As a player, Daikawa skated in the United States Hockey League before playing at Miami University from 1991-94. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team his freshman season and was a member of the Redhawks team that advanced to the NCAA tournament in 1992.
 
After college, Daikawa embarked on a successful playing career in Japan, where he played 11 years in the JIHL and AHL. He was a four-time member of the Japanese National Team, playing on four Pool A World Championship squads, and was a member of the Japanese Olympic Team that competed in the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan.
 
“The NAHL is a great league and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Daikawa added.