The Hockey East Coach of the Year is getting national recognition for the season he’s helped orchestrate on Commonwealth Avenue this year.
The American Hockey Coaches Association announced Wednesday that Boston University head coach David Quinn is one of eight finalists for the Spencer Penrose Award, which is given annually to the top Division I men’s hockey coach.
Quinn, in his second year as head coach at BU, has turned the program around from a 10-win team a season ago to one that is a Frozen Four finalist. The Terriers have also claimed the Beanpot and both the Hockey East regular-season and postseason titles this season, ending a six-year title drought.
If Quinn does in fact take the award, it would be the fifth time in school history that a coach has won it. Hank Cleverly was the recipient in 1958, while Jack Parker was a three-time winner (1975, 1978, 2009).
Other coaches nominated include all four national semifinalists, including Providence College’s Nate Leaman.
The following is a full list of the nominees:
Dean Blais, University of Nebraska Omaha
Greg Carvel, St. Lawrence University
Guy Gadowsky, Penn State University
Dave Hakstol, University of North Dakota
Mike Hastings, Minnesota State University
Nate Leaman, Providence College
David Quinn, Boston University
Derek Schooley, Robert Morris University