April 1, 2008

Farmington Hills, Mich. - Nine coaches who have enjoyed on-ice success in 2007-08 have been named finalists for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the top NCAA Division One Men's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. To be a finalist for this award, you must either be voted Coach of the Year in your conference or take your team to the NCAA Frozen Four.

The CCHA is represented by Michigan's Red Berenson, the coach of the regular-season and playoff-champion Wolverines, and Notre Dame's Jeff Jackson, who has guided the Fighting Irish to their first Frozen Four berth.

Noteworthy among this year's finalists: • The list includes two former Penrose Award winners; Jerry York of Boston College (1977 winner while at Clarkson) and Jeff Jackson of Notre Dame (2007 winner). With two wins this past weekend, York became the second NCAA coach to win 800 games. He now stands at 801. Jackson guided the Irish to CCHA regular-season and playoff titles last season and a Frozen Four berth this year.

• Repeat finalists include Dave Hakstol of North Dakota, Jeff Jackson of Notre Dame, Brian Riley of Army, and Jerry York of Boston College. • Michigan's Red Berenson, winner of 644 career games, has never won the award. The award is named in honor of the former Colorado Springs benefactor who built the Broadmoor Hotel Complex, site of the first 10 NCAA Hockey Championships. It will be presented at the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Coach of the Year Banquet on Saturday, April 26, in Naples, FL.

2007-2008 AHCA Men's Ice Hockey Division One Coach of the Year Finalists

Red Berenson, Michigan*#

Guy Gadowsky, Princeton*

Dave Hakstol, North Dakota#

Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame#

Troy Jutting, Minnesota State*

Brian Riley, Army*

Tom Serratore, Bemidji State*

Kevin Sneddon, Vermont*

Jerry York, Boston College#@

* Conference Coach of the Year # NCAA "Frozen Four" Participant @ Previous Winner of the Spencer Penrose Award