University of Minnesota Athletics
Motzko Named a Spencer Penrose Award Finalist
3/28/2023 1:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Second-straight year as a finalist
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko was named a finalist for the 2023 Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the CCM/AHCA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year.
It's the second-straight year Coach Motzko has been named a finalist for the honor after leading the Golden Gophers to their sixth Big Ten Conference championship and a berth into the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four, the 23rd in program history. He also was named the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the third time over the last four years and picked up the 100th win of his tenure at the 'U' against his former team, St. Cloud State, earlier this season.
Minnesota won its 29th regular season title in record-setting fashion under Motzko's guidance as its 19 victories and 57 points were the most in conference history. It also was the third-consecutive, 20-plus win campaign for Motzko and the Gophers.
The Spencer Penrose Award is named in memory of the Colorado Springs benefactor who built the Broadmoor Hotel Complex, site of the first 10 NCAA championship hockey tournaments. The award will be presented on Wednesday, April 26, at the 2023 AHCA Convention at the Naples Grande Hotel in Naples, Fla. The CCM/AHCA Coach of the Year Award is sponsored by CCM Hockey and chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association.
John Mariucci is the only coach in Minnesota history to earn the prestigious award as he was named the winner in 1953.
Finalists:
Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan, NCHC COY
Erik Largen, Alaska, Independent Nominee
Bob Motzko, Minnesota, Big Ten COY, NCAA Semifinalist
Brandon Naurato, Michigan, NCAA Semifinalist
Jay Pandolfo, Boston University, Hockey East COY, NCAA Semifinalist
Rand Pecknold, Quinnipiac, ECAC Hockey COY, NCAA Semifinalist*
Joe Shawhan, Michigan Tech, CCHA COY
Wayne Wilson, RIT, Atlantic Hockey COY*
* Past Spencer Penrose Award Winner
It's the second-straight year Coach Motzko has been named a finalist for the honor after leading the Golden Gophers to their sixth Big Ten Conference championship and a berth into the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four, the 23rd in program history. He also was named the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the third time over the last four years and picked up the 100th win of his tenure at the 'U' against his former team, St. Cloud State, earlier this season.
Minnesota won its 29th regular season title in record-setting fashion under Motzko's guidance as its 19 victories and 57 points were the most in conference history. It also was the third-consecutive, 20-plus win campaign for Motzko and the Gophers.
The Spencer Penrose Award is named in memory of the Colorado Springs benefactor who built the Broadmoor Hotel Complex, site of the first 10 NCAA championship hockey tournaments. The award will be presented on Wednesday, April 26, at the 2023 AHCA Convention at the Naples Grande Hotel in Naples, Fla. The CCM/AHCA Coach of the Year Award is sponsored by CCM Hockey and chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association.
John Mariucci is the only coach in Minnesota history to earn the prestigious award as he was named the winner in 1953.
Finalists:
Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan, NCHC COY
Erik Largen, Alaska, Independent Nominee
Bob Motzko, Minnesota, Big Ten COY, NCAA Semifinalist
Brandon Naurato, Michigan, NCAA Semifinalist
Jay Pandolfo, Boston University, Hockey East COY, NCAA Semifinalist
Rand Pecknold, Quinnipiac, ECAC Hockey COY, NCAA Semifinalist*
Joe Shawhan, Michigan Tech, CCHA COY
Wayne Wilson, RIT, Atlantic Hockey COY*
* Past Spencer Penrose Award Winner
Highlights: Gophers 2, Wisconsin 5
Thursday, October 30
Highlights: Gophers 1, UMD 4
Saturday, October 25
Highlights: Gophers 0, UMD 3
Friday, October 24
Highlights: Gophers 5, North Dakota 1
Saturday, October 18