The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) is pleased to announce the individuals who will receive the 2006 AHCA Major Awards in April in Naples, FL, at the 2006 AHCA Annual Convention:

THE JOHN MACINNES AWARD: Established by the AHCA in 1982 to honor former Michigan Tech coach, John MacInnes, this award recognizes those people who have shown a great concern for amateur hockey and youth programs. The recipients have had high winning percentages, as well as outstanding graduating percentages among their former players. The winners of this award have helped young men grow not only as hockey players, but more importantly, as men.

2006 Recipient: Rob Riley, Babson College and Army

Rob Riley won 297 games against NCAA opponents in 21 years behind the Babson and Army benches. While his career was often discussed in the context of his family’s incredible contributions to the sport, the records show that Rob forged his own success as both a player and a coach.

A 1978 graduate of Boston College, Riley captained the 1977-78 Eagles to a 24-10 record and a trip to the national championship game against cross-city rival Boston University. Despite falling to the Terriers in that contest, the Eagles boasted an ECAC title and tied the school’s single-season record for victories.

Upon graduation, Riley remained at his alma mater for two seasons as an assistant to the varsity and head junior varsity coach. He then moved on to St. Lawrence University as the top assistant to then head coach, Mike McShane. During Riley’s three seasons in Canton, NY, the Saints evolved from a last-place team in the ECAC to an NCAA quarterfinalist in 1982-83.

Riley’s first head coaching position came in 1983-84, when he accepted the top spot at Babson College.That first year was a magical one for Riley as he became the youngest coach ever to lead a team to the NCAA Division III National Championship. The Beavers defeated Union 8-0 in the title contest, capping a stellar 27-5-1 campaign as the squad set a school record for wins. In 1984-85, Riley turned in a 22-9 record at Babson and was named AHCA College Division Coach of the Year. Following that season, Riley returned to West Point to assist his father, Olympic gold medal winner Jack.

At West Point, Rob continued his father’s legacy of success, both on and off the ice. He won over 200 games at Army and molded young men who became leaders in this country.

Having grown up at the U.S. Military Academy, Riley understood all that is encompassed in the “West Point experience”. His teams traditionally ranked among the Academy’s top squads in grade-point average. In addition, Riley’ s players also ranked among the top cadets in military and physical training.

Riley also made a name for himself on the national and international hockey scene.He was an assistant coach for the U.S. teams that participated in the World University Games in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1989, and Sapporo, Japan, in 1991. The long-time mentor of Army’s hockey fortunes also directed numerous summer camps at West Point during his 18-year coaching career. Riley helped more than 9,000 youth hockey players develop their skills and improve their game.

Then there is the family. Riley is part of a family that has produced four Division I head coaches who have all been very successful.Perhaps the most remarkable feat: three Rileys serving as Army head coach over 55 years and counting: father Jack, coach of the 1960 U.S. gold medal-winning Olympic Team, from 1951-1986; Rob from 1986-2004; and Brian from 2004 to the present.

Twenty years after his retirement, Jack Riley is still tenth on the NCAA’s all-time wins list (542). Bill Riley , cousin to Rob, sits 34th on the same list with 376 victories while at Lehigh and UMass-Lowell from 1968-91. Add brother Brian’s 11 wins through a year and a half at Army and the family has 1,226 college wins.

TERRY FLANAGAN AWARD: Named in honor of the former UNH player and Bowling Green Assistant, this award honors an assistant coach’s career body of work.

2006 Recipient: Billy Powers, University of Michigan

Billy Powers has been a very successful assistant coach for 14 seasons now, spending the last twelve seasons at Michigan. Prior to that he coached at UIC-Chicago. During Billy’s time at Michigan, no other college program has had the success that Michigan has had. According to Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson, “Billy Powers is the consummate assistant coach. He is a tireless recruiter who has great concern for his players. He is a very knowledgeable coach in regard to game tactics. He has an outstanding work ethic and is a true leader in every sense.”

Powers’ former players, many of whom have gone on to play at the NHL level, have had nothing but high regard for him. Many today are some of his best friends, which goes to show you how much of an effect he has had in their lives. Powers is a 1988 Michigan graduate who has a supreme amount of pride for the Blue and Gold. During his years at Michigan as an assistant coach the team’s overall record is 360-99-35 (.764.)

THE JOHN MARIUCCI AWARD: Presented annually to a secondary school coach coach in memory of the “Godfather of Minnesota hockey,” John Mariucci.

2006 Recipient: Vic Levine, Madison (WI) Memorial H. S.

Vic Levine has been the head coach at Memorial High School in Madison, WI, for 26 years and a math teacher for 27. He started at Memorial as an assistant coach to Bill Howard, the longtime goaltender coach at the University of Wisconsin. He has won over 500 games as well as nine state championships.

Many of Vic’s student-athletes have gone on as college players and some into the pro ranks, with many more student-athletes who have completed college and now lead productive lives.

As one of the nominators stated, “Vic has always led his teams with dignity and class. His focus on education has always been paramount. Vic would never ask for any recognition for his accomplishments. He coaches because he loves the game.”

THE JIM FULLERTON AWARD: Named in honor of the former Brown University hockey coach and AHCA spiritual leader, this award recognizes an individual who loves the purity of our sport. Whether a coach, administrator, trainer, official, journalist or simply a fan, the recipient exemplifies Jim.

2006 Recipient: Frank “Mac” McIntosh, University of Vermont.

For 28 years, “Mac” has volunteered his time for the men’s hockey program at the University of Vermont. That equates to more than 1,000 games, 2,500 practices, and countless hours doing the “behind the scenes” work to help the team.

Mac has touched the lives of almost every player who has worn a green and gold jersey at UVM, as well as each coach with whom he has worked. Until recently, UVM did not have an equipment manager on staff. Quite simply put, the men’s hockey program would have been lost without him.

THE JOHN “SNOOKS” KELLEY FOUNDERS AWARD: Named after the famed Boston College coach, this award honors those people in the coaching profession who have contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport of ice hockey in the United States.

2006 Recipient: Carl Marottolo, Yale Youth Hockey Program

Carl was a founding member of the Yale Youth Hockey Organization and went on to start and run the clinic program at Yale from 1975- 1987. Though he passed away in 1988, his legacy has lived on at Yale University and Yale Youth Hockey and his contribution to the overall growth of the sport is immeasurable. After realizing there was a need for young children to learn how to skate and play the game of hockey, Carl started a “clinic” program for Yale Youth Hockey. Every Saturday and Sunday, sometimes at 5:00 a.m., Carl would take the new skaters on the ice and work with them on how to play and respect the game. From October to November, he would not allow pucks or nets on the ice. Instead he had the children work only on their skating. It was not a rare sight to see Carl next to a young boy or girl cheering them on as they pushed a chair around the ice falling countless times but having a ball doing it. A parent recalls,”he had the gift of unending patience. “

Even after his each of his four boys made it through the clinic and went on to have exceptional hockey careers, Carl stayed with the clinic, continuing to help develop the hockey and life skills of young boys and girls.

THE JOE BURKE AWARD: Presented annually to the person who has given outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women’s ice hockey.

2006 Recipient: Charlie Stryker, Minnesota Girl’s & Women’s Hockey

Charlie Stryker was a key figure in the growth of girls high school hockey in Minnesota. Though he passed away three years ago from a heart attack, his endeavors still live on in many key events for girls hockey in Minnesota.

He provided great services to girls’ and women’s hockey as a coach, teacher and organizer of the Minnesota Junior Festival. Said his nominators, “Charlie was a wonderful person with a great love for hockey and for girls’ and women’s hockey. He was a tireless promoter and would give the ‘shirt off his back’ to young players so they could play the game that he loved. He and his high school team, St. Paul United, sponsored a young girl who lost her mother in the tragedy of 9/11. He was instrumental in getting the Jr. Festival and Sr. Classic up and running for the high school girls in Minnesota. Due to his vision and hard work, many girls have opportunities to compete in a showcase-type atmosphere.”

All of the awards will be presented at the AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet on the evening of April 29, except the Joe Burke Award, which will be presented at a special women’s coaches reception on April 26. Both events will take place at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club in Naples,FL.

Click here to view all past winners of these awards