The Officers and Governors of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) have announced its major award winners for 2009. All honorees will be presented their awards at the 2009 AHCA Convention in Naples, FL, April 23-26, 2009. They are:

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.

2009 Recipient: Steve Stirling, Babson, Providence

Steve Stirling was a tremendous player in college, captaining Boston University’s first NCAA Championship team in 1971. He was named All-East and All-American for his efforts that season. He graduated from BU with 60-94-154 in just 87 games for an amazing 1.77 PPG. Since his graduation he has been elected to both the Boston University Hall of Fame and the Beanpot Hall of Fame. However, as great as his playing career was — he retired from playing after six years in the AHL — he embarked on an even more impressive coaching career.

In 1978, Steve inherited the Babson College hockey program, a program with a 13-year formal history, and roots taking it back to 1951 as a club team. In the previous 13 seasons, Babson had only three winning seasons, and its best win total was 11. From 1979-1993 (minus two season in which he was the Providence College Head Coach, 1984-1986), the Babson teams he guided never had a season under .500, never won fewer than 14 games, and during his tenure at Babson, he had only one season with a winning percentage lower than .650. His teams appeared in 10 NCAA Tournaments (including eight straight from 1986-1993). When he departed from Babson in 1983, the team he left behind to be coached by Rob Riley, won the 1984 NCAA Division III Championship. In addition, while at Babson he coached Tom Sasso, a two-time Hobey Baker Award winner in 1986 and 1987, and 17 of the schools 21 All-Americans.

While at Providence, he won the inaugural Hockey East Championship in 1985, and took the Friars to the NCAA Championship game that same year, losing to RPI in overtime. He returned to Babson in the summer of 1985, and remained as the hockey coach until he retired from coaching in 1993. He also served as the Director of Athletics at Babson until he retired to return to professional coaching until 1997.

Steve Stirling’s College Career Records:

Record: 290-129-28
Winning Percentage .680 (24th all time AHCA)
Wins 290 (65th all time AHCA)
AHCA Coach of the Year 1980 and 1982

As a professional coach, Steve has served as an assistant with the New York Islanders/Lowell Loch Monsters 1998-2001, and as the head coach of the New York Islanders 2003-2006, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2001-2003), the Springfield Falcons (2006-07), and the Norfolk Admirals (2007-08). He was the Hockey News Minor/Pro Coach of the Year in 2002. He now serves as the head coach of Iserlohn in the DEL (Germany).

In addition, Steve was one of the founders of the Europa Cup, a summer league developed with Dick Flood, in 1975, to provide summer hockey opportunities for players in the greater Boston area. Europa Cup not only provided the players playing opportunities, but many college coaches worked with Steve at Europa Cup, including Jim Madigan, Ken Kuzyk, and Bob Deraney. Another of Steve’s former players, Jim Creamer, is the current head coach at Bishop Hendricken in RI, the school that snapped Mt. St. Charles 26 years as state champion.

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.

2009 Recipient: Steve Miller, Miami, Denver

Steve Miller has been a Division I assistant coach for 18 years and all of them have been on the coaching staff of head coach George Gwozdecky (three years at Miami and 15 years at Denver). As an assistant coach at Denver, Miller has helped the Pioneers to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2004 and 2005, two WCHA Regular Season titles and four WCHA Final Five titles. He has been responsible for the signing of 11 consecutive nationally ranked recruiting classes. He has coached and recruited 30 NHL Draft picks, 31 All-WCHA honorees, eight World Junior Championship participants, nine All-Americans, a Hobey Baker Award winner, 3 WCHA Student-Athletes of the Year, three WCHA Defensive Players of the Year, one WCHA Rookie of the Year and two Frozen Four Most Outstanding Players. The Pioneers have averaged over 23 wins in Miller’s 15 years, including seven NCAA tournament appearances, two Frozen Four appearances and two national championships.

Prior to his arrival at Denver, Miller assisted Gwozdecky in a similar role at Miami (Ohio) University from 1991-1994. Miller was a big part of Miami’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1992-93. The Redskins posted a school-best mark of 27-9-5 and won their first-ever CCHA league championship. Miller coached or assisted in the recruitment of former Miami and current NHL players Kevyn Adams (Chicago), Brian Savage (retired) and Dan Boyle (San Jose). He coached 11 NHL draft picks, 19 All-CCHA honorees, four All-Americans, two Hobey Baker nominees, an Olympian and one World Junior participant.

Miller has also gained additional coaching experience working for USA Hockey as a head coach of Team Rocky Mountain at the Select 17 Festival in 2000 and led the team to its best ever finish by winning a silver medal.

A 1988 graduate of St. Mary’s with a bachelors of arts in public administration, Miller played three years of varsity hockey. He earned Most Inspirational Player two years and was named Most Improved Player as a sophomore. Miller helped St. Mary’s to its first MIAC championship in 23 years. The team also set a school record for victories in a single season (22) which still stands today. Miller was also selected to the MIAC All-Academic team his junior year.

Said George Gwozdecky, “Steve Miller is one of the elite assistant coaches in all of college hockey. He is a great evaluator of talent and his ability to research and identify an individual’s true character is tremendous. He is absolutely outstanding in his ability to work with our talent and help them develop to their full potential. Steve typifies what the Terry Flanagan Award is all about”.

Added RPI head coach Seth Appert, also a former Denver assistant, “Steve continues to exemplify all of the merits of an outstanding assistant coach. He is a tireless recruiter, one of the best in our business, has a great knowledge of the game and continually helps his programs to success. The most important attribute that he brings to his student-athletes is his passion for the game. Miller’s passion and intensity shows every day and his players feed off that passion.”

THE JOHN MARIUCCI AWARD: John Mariucci, the former coach of the University of Minnesota, was not only an outstanding college coach, but also a driving force behind the growth of hockey in the United States. In 1987, the AHCA created this award to honor a secondary school association coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of the "GODFATHER OF U.S. HOCKEY," John Mariucci.

2009 Recipient: Bill Hanson, Catholic Memorial (MA) H.S.

Bill Hanson has coached the Catholic Memorial Scarlet Knights since 1976. His teams have won 12 state championships in Massachusetts. Here is a list of other accomplishments in his historic career.

• Varsity Hockey Coach since 1976
• Boston Globe Coach of the Year Division 1A 2005
• Boston Globe Coach of the Year Division 1 (2 Awards)
• Boston Globe Coach of the Year Division 1A (2 Awards)
• Division 1A Coach of the Year HNIB (13 Awards)
• Espy Award National Coach of the Year 2000
• National Sports News Service
• USA Today National Coach of the Year 1994 & 1998
• Boston University Harry Cleverly Award
• Alumni Coach of the Year 1990
• South Boston Sports Hall of Fame 1995
• Catholic Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame 2001

Said one of his nominators, Merrimack College head coach Mark Dennehy, “His alumni include such luminaries as Ted Donato, Mark and Mike Bavis, Jim Fahey, Jim Carey, Paul Stanton, and Brendan Walsh (to name a few), and he has placed players at Wisconsin, BU, NU, UVM, and many, many others. He graduated from Boston University where he won the distinguished Harry Cleverly award. He is a legend.”

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 Fullerton, who gave as much as he received and never stopped caring about the direction in which our game was heading.

2009 Recipient: Tom Jacobs, NCAA and CCHA

Tom Jacobs became a special friend to college hockey while working as the NCAA’s liaison to the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Committee. He not only served during a period of unprecedented growth of the tournament itself, he also expanded his role to assist the hockey community with legislation and other NCAA-related needs.

Jacobs was involved with college athletics for more than 20 years, having previously served in various capacities at the Big Eight Conference (now the Big Twelve Conference), the University of California, Berkeley, and the NCAA. He also worked briefly with the CCHA before taking his current position with the U.S. Tennis Association (Vice President for Business).

As a director of championships at the NCAA, Jacobs worked with a variety of championships, which included Division I Men’s Soccer, Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis and Division I Men’s Ice Hockey. He also served as a liaison to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet.

Working with the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Committee, Jacobs was instrumental in the development and implementation of several Frozen Four initiatives that improved the event while also increasing its exposure and popularity. These included establishing the term “Frozen Four,” the “Frozen Fest,” a fan interactive event, the “Frozen Four Skills Challenge”, “Friday Night at the Frozen Four”, and an online ticket application process that recognized and rewards repeat attendees of the Frozen Four.

Jacobs received his degree in business administration from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in sports administration and facility management from Ohio University.

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.

2009 Recipient: Terry Martin, SUNY Canton College

Terry Martin led SUNY Canton to 12 JUCO National Championships and 23 Region III titles with a 527-211-29 career record over 24 season. Upon his retirement many of his past players honored him and spoke more on "his winning character then on his winning record." His past players noted that he really cared about them as people and was always there for them in times of trouble. In addition to coaching hockey he coached lacrosse and taught P.E. at Canton College. Some 31 players have transferred to Division I schools to continue their education while playing varsity hockey. The following coaches played for Martin at Canton: Don Vaughan, Colgate Men; Paul Flanagan, Syracuse Women; Rick Gotkin, Mercyhurst Men; Mark Taylor, Hobart Men; Jim Ward, Connecticut College Men.

“I can tell you first hand that more important than all of his wins and championships was his commitment to instilling character and helping young men find the right path to success,” said Don Vaughan. “He has left a positive mark on countless young men who have played for him. This soft spoken yet passionate coach always led by example. His teams were well prepared and driven yet always respected the game and played with sportsmanship and character. He influenced young men not only as hockey players but as people who now have the same positive impact on those around them.”

Said Bill Coakley, Martin’s assistant coach for 15 of the years, “Let me describe the Canton program in Terry’s early years. Ice time was picked up wherever possible – small town rinks 15, 20, 30 miles away and even across the border in Ontario. Ice time was always late at night with the best-case scenario across town at St. Lawrence either after a game or intramurals usually on snowy ice to save money and get an extra 15 minutes of ice. Our guys got used to changing in the halls and carrying equipment back to their dorm rooms to dry out. We would schedule almost anybody anywhere, travel by car or vans, picking up loaves of bread with peanut butter and jelly or bologna. Coaches and players were responsible for all team chores (laundry, skate sharpening and van maintenance). Playing away we would often use sleeping bags in gymnasiums. To say we operated on a shoestring would be generous. The make-up of the Canton teams was always an interesting mix with over 50% turnover each year (two year school and with us moving our best freshman to four year schools).”

THE JOE BURKE AWARD: Presented annually to the person who has given outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women’s ice hockey.” It is named in honor of a girls’ and women’s hockey “superfan,” Joe Burke.

2009 Recipient: Bob and Kathleen Ridder

Kathleen Ridder, and her late husband, Bob, are this year’s co-recipients of the Joe Burke Award. Said former Minnesota women’s head coach Laura Halldorson, “The Ridders embody the same passion, energy, and commitment to the sport of women’s hockey that Joe Burke made famous over the years. These two individuals were extremely instrumental in starting Division I women’s hockey in the Midwest. Their tireless work, amazing financial contributions, and ability to build support led to the University of Minnesota’s decision to add the sport in 1995—at a time when the future was unknown. Looking back, this risk certainly paid off.”

Laura added the following tributes:

Kathleen Ridder: “Kathleen is known as a woman of strong conviction who holds a deep sense of civic responsibility, and her passion has been women’s equality. She has been a true pioneer and leader within athletics, as evidenced by the fact that she established the first-ever endowed scholarship for women student-athletes at Minnesota in 1983 and was also a founding member of the Women’s Athletics Advisory Council. She has been a strong, passionate voice for excellence and equality for women student-athletes for many years. Judy Kirk, from the University of Minnesota Foundation has said about Kathleen Ridder, “She stands up for the rights of women athletes and empowers them through her support, leadership, and vision.”

Robert Ridder: “Bob passed away in the summer of 2000. He was alive to enjoy the Gophers’ first national championship, but not to see the completion of Ridder Arena. Bob was a hockey guy. He, along with two others, founded the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) in 1947. He was the manager of two silver-winning U.S. Men’s Olympic Teams in 1952 and 1956. When professional hockey came to Minnesota in 1966, Bob became one of the North Star owners. He later served as a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame director—the same organization in which he was inducted in 1976 for his contributions to the sport of hockey. In addition, he was awarded the NHL’s Lester Patrick Award in 1994 for his outstanding service to the sport. As the chair of the Women’s Hockey Advisory Task Force here at Minnesota, he was a real leader and very instrumental in fundraising for the new arena (which would later bear the Ridder name).

“For me, more important than all of these accolades, was Bob’s uniquely passionate view toward women’s college hockey. He loved the sport. It reminded him of how the men’s game was played ‘back in the day.’ And he supported women’s hockey when many in this area of the country did not.”

Bob was also extremely supportive of women’s hockey at his alma mater, Harvard University.

All awards, except the Joe Burke Award, will be presented on Saturday evening, April 25, 2009, at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. The Joe Burke Award will be presented on Friday, April 24.

Click here to view all past winners of these awards