2018-19 Division III Women's CCM/AHCA Coach of the Year Finalists Announced
Eleven coaches who have enjoyed on-ice success in 2018-19 have been named finalists for the CCM/AHCA NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Convention Friday, May 3, in Naples, FL. The finalists include six-time winner Kevin Houle of Plattsburgh (2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016). None of the other 10 finalists have been so honored and three of them — Chris Baudo of Nazareth, Shawn Skelly of Adrian and Taylor Wasylk of Suffolk are all first-year coaches.
To be considered a finalist, one must either be named Coach of the Year at the conference level or advance to the national championship semifinals. The winner will be announced Thursday evening during the student-athlete banquet at the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship at the University of St. Thomas.
The CCM AHCA COACH of the YEAR AWARDS are sponsored by CCM HOCKEY and chosen by members of the AMERICAN HOCKEY COACHES ASSOCIATION. CCM is the legendary hockey brand dedicated to the endless pursuit of performance by delivering game-changing, head-to-toe innovative hockey equipment to players worldwide.
2018-19 AHCA Women's Ice Hockey
College Division Coach of the Year Finalists
Chris Baudo, Nazareth, UCHC Coach of the Year
Joe Cranston, UW-River Falls, WIAC Coach of the Year
Natalie Darwitz, Hamline, Frozen Four Coach
Rick Filighera, Cortland, NEWHL Coach of the Year
Meghan Gillis, Williams, NESCAC Coach of the Year
Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh, Frozen Four Coach*
Jackie MacMillan, St. Scholastica, NCHA Coach of the Year
Andy McPhee, Endicott, CHC Coach of the Year
Tom Palkowski, St. Thomas, MIAC Coach of the Year and Frozen Four Coach
Shawn Skelly, Adrian, Frozen Four Coach
Taylor Wasylk, Suffolk, NEHC Coach of the Year
*Former Recipient of this award.
| Previous Winners of the Women's Division III Coach of the Year Award | |
| 2000 | Ted Wisner, Colgate |
| 2001 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2002 | Jamie Wood, Elmira |
| 2003 | Michele Amidon, Bowdoin |
| 2004 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2005 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2006 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2007 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2008 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2009 | Jim Plumer. Amherst College |
| 2010 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2011 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2012 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2013 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2014 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2015 | Dean Jackson, Elmira |
| 2016 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2017 | Chad Davis, Adrian College |
| 2018 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
