LAS VEGAS -- Phoenix Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett, who played for the Fighting Sioux from 1981-83, has been named the 2009-10 recipient of the Jack Adams Award as National Hockey League Coach of the Year.
In his first year as Phoenix head coach and hired only a week prior to the regular season, Tippett led the Coyotes to the best record (50-25-7) in franchise history and their first Stanley Cup Playoff berth since 2001-02. One year after finishing 25th overall in the NHL, the Tippett-led Coyotes set franchise records for wins (50), home wins (29) and points (107) while also breaking the franchise record for longest home winning streak (10 games; Nov. 21-Dec. 29).
The Coyotes registered a 14-win and 28-point improvement over 2008-09 and allowed the fewest goals (202) of any Western Conference team this season.
Tippett, who had spent the previous six seasons as head coach of the Dallas Stars, earned his 300th career coaching win Jan. 21 against Nashville. Since the start of the 2002-03 campaign, Tippett ranks second among all NHL coaches in victories with 321, trailing only Mike Babcock of Detroit (326).
A forward at North Dakota, Tippett played in 79 career games for the Fighting Sioux and registered 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points. The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, native was a member of UND's 1981-82 NCAA championship team and was a second team All-WCHA selection in 1982-83.
Tippett went on to enjoy an 11-year career in the NHL with Hartford, Washington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, appearing in 721 career games and scoring 262 points. A two-time Olympian, Tippett represented Canada at the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Winter Games.
Nashville's Barry Trotz and Colorado's Joe Sacco were the other two Jack Adams Award finalists.
It is the 10th time a former Sioux has won a major NHL postseason award. Earlier this month, Jonathan Toews received the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. Most
recently prior to this year, forward Jason Blake was the 2007-08 recipient of the Bill
Masterson Trophy (Perseverence, Sportsmanship & Dedication) while
with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tippett is UND's first Jack Adams Award
recipient.
UND's NHL Award Recipients:
| Year |
Award |
Player |
Team |
| 1985-86 |
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward) |
Troy Murray |
Chicago |
| 1990-91 |
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) |
Ed Belfour |
Chicago |
| 1990-91 |
Vezina Trophy (Most Outstanding Goalie) |
Ed Belfour |
Chicago |
| 1992-93 |
Vezina Trophy (Most Outstanding Goalie) |
Ed Belfour |
Chicago |
| 1992-93 |
William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest Goals Against) |
Ed Belfour |
Chicago |
| 1994-95 |
William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest Goals Against) |
Ed Belfour |
Chicago |
| 1998-99 |
Williams M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest Goals Against) |
Ed Belfour |
Chicago |
| 2007-08 |
Bill Masterson Trophy (Perseverence, Sportsmanship, Dedication) |
Jason Blake |
Toronto |
| 2009-10 |
Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP) |
Jonathan Toews |
Chicago |
| 2009-10 |
Jack Adams Trophy (Coach of the Year) |
Dave Tippett |
Phoenix |
~Go Sioux~
