The National Hockey League confirmed the finalists for their “Coach of the Year” & “Rookie of the Year” awards. Making this confirmation on July 15th, it’s known that Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks & Cale Makar from the Colorado Avalanche’s is contending for the 2019-20 Calder Memorial Trophy, which is more commonly referred to as “Rookie of the Year”. Dominik Kubalik from the Chicago Blackhawks has also entered the finals. The NHL remarked that players selected showed formidable proficiency in their skillsets.
The Coach of the Year for 2019-20 will obtain the Jack Adams Award. Receiving this title requires majority voting from NHL Broadcaster Association Members. That association allowed the National Hockey League to confirm their tree selections. Those include Alain Vigneault with the Philadelphia Flyers, Bruce Cassidy from the Boston Bruins, and the Columbus Blue Jacket’s John Tortorella. It should be clarified that all three have previously received nominations for this award. Analysts speculate that Bruce Cassidy will be victorious over Vigneault & Tortorella.
The History of Nominated Coaches
Bruce Cassidy has earned a formidable reputation in the National Hockey League. He has been coaching the Boston Bruins since 2016. It’d take two seasons for Bruce Cassidy to obtain his 1st NHL Award, with that being the President’s Trophy. This is given to the highest-rated team operating league-wide. Cassidy hasn’t ever been gifted the Jack Adams Award, which is well deserved for a coach of his talents. Bruce maintained one of the highest records in the NHL before its postponement on March 12th. The team’s record stood at 44-14-12, with a .714 Goal Average.
John Tortorella was previously nominated for the Jack Adams Award during the 2003-04 NHL Season while coaching the Tampa Bay Lightnings. Tortorella would receive another opportunity to win this award when coaching the New York Rangers in 2012. Both instances of nomination didn’t favour victory. Tortorella hopes that 3rd time marks the cham, landing him victory over his opponents. That’ll prove challenging for the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The only victor over the Jack Adams Award is Alain Vigneault, obtaining victory during the 2006-07 Season. Throughout his professional coaching career in the National Hockey League, Alain Vigneault has been nominated five times. 2020 could mark his 2nd victory over this award.