Pearson Named Finalist for Spencer Penrose National Coach of the Year Award
3/29/2022 2:15:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Graham Family Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach Mel Pearson has been named one of eight finalists for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the CCCM/AHCA Division I Men's Hockey Coach of the Year.
The nominees represent any coach who won or shared Coach of the Year honors in his conference this past season, as well as coaches whose teams have advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four.
Pearson makes his second Frozen Four appearance in his fifth season as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. The Big Ten Tournament champion won the NCAA Midwest Regional on Sunday (March 27) to earn the program's 26th Frozen Four appearance.
The leader of one of the best assembled college hockey teams in history, Pearson has seven first-round NHL draft picks on this season's squad and 13 draft selections overall. In an unusual season, he was tasked with balancing his own program with six current players attending the World Junior Championships and four being named to Olympic teams. With four of his top players in Beijing, Michigan went 6-0.
Nine members of the team received Big Ten award recognition, with four finalists for player of the year awards and Luke Hughes capturing co-Rookie of the Year. Hughes is also one of two Michigan players tabbed as finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, along with Matty Beniers. Erik Portillo is a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award and has been named the Most Outstanding Player of both the B1G Tournament and NCAA Regional. Captain Nick Blankenburg is a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, and 16 players were named the Academic All-B1G Team.
Pearson reached 200 career wins earlier this season and is one win away from his 100th win at the helm of the Michigan program. This season U-M won its most conference games in over a decade, with 16 wins in the Big Ten as the Wolverines sat in first place in the standings nearly all season. With 31 wins total, this is the first time since 2007-08 Michigan has reached the 30-win mark.
Pearson was the 2000 recipient of the Terry Flanagan Award that recognizes an assistant coach's career body of work.
The winner of the Spencer Penrose Award will be announced on Wednesday, April 6, on the eve of the Frozen Four.
2021-22 AHCA Spencer Penrose Award Finalists
(CCM/AHCA Men's Ice Hockey Division I Coach of the Year)
Brad Berry, North Dakota, NCHC COY*
David Carle, Denver, NCAA semifinalist
Mike Hastings, Minnesota State, CCHA COY, NCAA semifinalist*
Jerry Keefe, Northeastern University, Hockey East COY
Eric Lang, AIC, Atlantic Hockey COY
Bob Motzko, Minnesota, Big Ten COY, NCAA semifinalist
Mel Pearson, Michigan, NCAA semifinalist
Rand Pecknold, Quinnipiac, ECAC Hockey COY*
* Previous winners of the award
