For his efforts in leading the University of Wisconsin to the school’s first NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship, Mark Johnson of the University of Wisconsin has been named by his peers as the AHCA Women’s Division I Coach of the Year for 2005-06. The Badgers compiled a record of 36-4-1 this year, winning both the WCHA regular season and tournament titles en route to dethroning two-time NCAA champion Minnesota at the Frozen Four.

It was a banner year for Wisconsin who did not allow a goal in the NCAA Frozen Four, defeating St. Lawrence, 1- 0 in the semifinals, and Minnesota, 3-0 in the title game. The Badgers placed two players on the AHCA RBK All- American First Team, defenseman Bobbi Jo Slusar and forward Sara Bauer. Bauer was also honored as the top women’s player in the country when she received the Patty Kazmaier Award in Minneapolis on March 25. Johnson has a career record of 111-27-10 (.783) in four seasons as head coach of the Badgers. His winning percentage ranks him first among active NCAA Division I women’s head coaches.

However, Johnson’s fame in Madison began years before assuming his current role. A two-time All American and the school’s all-time goal-scoring leader (125 goals in 125 games), Johnson led his Badgers to an NCAA title in 1977 and was WCHA MVP in 1979, before embarking on an impressive post-college career. A star on the 1980 “Miracle On Ice” U.S. Olympic Team, Johnson enjoyed a 11-year NHL career before retiring as a player and getting into coaching. He is the son of the late coaching icon, Bob Johnson, who coached at Colorado College and the University of Wisconsin, before winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The runner-up for this year’s AHCA Women’s Division I Coach of the Year award was Brian McCloskey of the University of New Hampshire. Other finalists for the award were Jim Fetter, Wayne State University; Paul Flanagan, St. Lawrence University; Laura Halldorson, University of Minnesota; and Jeff Kampersal, Princeton University.

College hockey’s Coach of the Year recipients are chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Winners will receive their awards at the annual AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet, held in conjunction with the AHCA Convention in Naples, FL. This year’s banquet is scheduled for Saturday, April 29.