Denver's George Gwozdecky, UMD's Scott Sandelin Named as Finalists for AHCA Men's Ice Hockey Div. 1 Coach of the Year

Both Gwozdecky and Sandelin have their respective teams heading to the national championship in Boston next week.

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March 31, 2004

Eight coaches who have enjoyed on-ice success in 2003-04, including the University of Denver's George Gwozdecky and the University of Minnesota Duluth's Scott Sandelin, have been named finalists for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the top NCAA Division 1 Men's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. To be a finalist for this award, you must either be voted Coach of the Year in your conference or take your team to the NCAA Frozen Four.

Both Gwozdecky and Sandelin have their respective teams heading to the national championship in Boston next week. Denver is currently 25-12-5 after capturing the NCAA West Regional title in Colorado Springs, Colo., last weekend. Minnesota Duluth is 28-12-4 heading into the Frozen Four after winning the Midwest Regional championship in Grand Rapids, Mich., last weekend. Sandelin was named the 2004 WCHA Coach of the Year on March 18.

Noteworthy among this year's finalists:

Former Penrose Award winners include Jerry York of Boston College (1977 winner while at Clarkson), George Gwozdecky of Denver (1993 winner while at Miami), and Tim Whitehead of Maine (2002).

Stan Moore is Colgate's "Interim Head Coach" as Head Coach Don Vaughan is "Interim Athletic Director."

The award is named in honor of the former Colorado Springs benefactor who built the Broadmoor Hotel Complex, site of the first 10 NCAA Hockey Championships. It will be presented at the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Coach of the Year Banquet on Saturday, April 24, in Naples, FL.

2003-04 AHCA Men's Ice Hockey Division One Coach of the Year Finalists

Enrico Blasi, Miami University*
Scott Sandelin, Minnesota-Duluth*#
George Gwozdecky, Denver#@
Tom Serratore, Bemidji State*
Stan Moore, Colgate* Tim Whitehead, Maine#@
Paul Pearl, Holy Cross*
Jerry York, Boston College*#@

* Conference Coach of the Year
# Frozen Four Participant
@ Previous Winner of the Spencer Penrose Award Winner