LAKE PLACID, NY — Jack Arena, who led Amherst College into this weekend's NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey National Championship Semifinals with a 24-3-1 record, has been named the 44th recipient of the Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the Men's Division III Ice Hockey Coach of the Year.
The Lord Jeffs have been one of the most consistent teams in Division III this year, following an 8-1 start with a 6-2-1 record during a grueling nine-game road trip, and they have since extended that to 12-0 for the longest active unbeaten streak in Division III. Amherst won the program's second conference title after defeating Middlebury for the third time this season, and followed with a 3-1 win over Plattsburgh in the NCAA quarterfinals to finish at 14-0 at home. This weekend will mark Amherst's firstever trip to the national semifinals, as the Jeffs had come up short in their two previous quarterfinal appearances.
The Jeffs lead the nation in scoring defense (1.64), having outscored opponents by a 50-12 margin during their current 12-game win streak. Amherst also ranks nationally in power play (27.5, 5th), penalty kill (87.0, 5th) and combined special teams (57.1, 4th) with six shutouts to its credit. Arena is finishing his 29th season at Amherst where he has compiled a record of 376-290-50. He stepped into the head coaching position immediately following graduation from Amherst in 1983. He had served as the Amherst captain during the 1982-83 season in which he also received the Division III Hobey Baker Award. He remains the fourth leading scorer in Amherst history.
A native of Randolph, Massachusetts, Arena also serves as the Amherst golf coach. This season, Arena was assisted by Gregg DiNardo and Mike McLaughlin.
The Edward Jeremiah Award is named in honor of the great Dartmouth College head coach and was first presented in 1970. The runner-up for this year's Edward Jeremiah Award was Mike McShane of Norwich University, a four-time recipient of this award (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2010).
The Coach of the Year Awards are chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Winners will receive their awards at the annual AHCA Celebration of Men's Ice Hockey Banquet, held in conjunction with the AHCA Convention in Naples, FL. This year's banquet is scheduled for Saturday, April 28.
Winners of the Edward Jeremiah Award ( Division Coach of the Year) |
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1970 | Sid Watson, Bowdoin | 1991 | Glenn Thomaris, Elmira | |
1971 | Sid Watson, Bowdoin | 1992 | Bruce Marshall, Connecticut | |
1972 | Jack Canniff, Massachusetts | 1993 | Joe Baldarotta, WI-Stevens Point | |
1973 | Jim Cross, Vermont | 1994 | Jeff Meredith, Fredonia | |
1974 | Barry Urbanski, Boston State | 1995 | Bill Beaney, Middlebury | |
1975 | Wendall Forbes, Middlebury | 1996 | Dean Talafous, WI-River Falls | |
1976 | Don Roberts, Gustavus Adolphus | 1997 | Mike McShane, Norwich | |
1977 | Bill Riley, Jr., Lowell | 1998 | Mike Schwartz, Augsburg | |
1978 | Sid Watson, Bowdoin | 1999 | Mike McShane, Norwich | |
1979 | Don Brose, Mankato State | 2000 | Mike McShane, Norwich | |
1980 | Steve Stirling, Babson | 2001 | Wayne Wilson, RIT | |
1981 | Herb Hammond, Plattsburgh State | 2002 | Dan Stauber, WI-Superior | |
1982 | Steve Stirling, Babson | 2003 | George Roll, Oswego State | |
1983 | Mike Gibbons, Bemidji State | 2004 | Bill Beaney, Middlebury | |
Peter Van Buskirk, Holy Cross | 2005 | Terry Skrypek, St. Thomas | ||
1984 | Bob Peters, Bemidji State | 2006 | Bill Beaney, Middlebury | |
1985 | Rob Riley, Babson | 2007 | Ed Gosek, Oswego State | |
1986 | Terry Meagher, Bowdoin | 2008 | Tim Coghlin, St. Norbert College | |
1987 | Tony Mariano, Norwich | 2009 | Dominick Dawes, Neumann College | |
1988 | Glenn Thomaris, Elmira | 2010 | Mike McShane, Norwich | |
1989 | Terry Meagher, Bowdoin | 2011 | Tim Coghlin, St. Norbert College | |
1990 | Bill Beaney, Middlebury | 2012 | Jack Arena, Amherst College |