Dan Wildfong Named 2012-13 CHL Coach of the Year

[chilly666]

GLENDALE, AZ – The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Fort Worth Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong has been selected the recipient of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League Coach of the Year award following balloting among all CHL head coaches.

The Coach of the Year award is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League coach adjudged to have contributed most to his team’s success.’

Through numerous hurdles, roster moves and injuries, Wildfong has guided his team to a remarkable season sitting with a 36-20-8 record and a place in the hunt for the overall points lead in the conference.

“Since stepping off the ice in 2007 to take the Head Coaching position with the Brahmas, Dan has demonstrated his strengths as the leader on the bench, just like he did on the ice as a player,” said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner. “This award is always a special honor as it is voted upon by only his peers, showing the great respect they have for the job Dan does day-in and day-out coaching his team. On behalf of the entire CHL, we would like to congratulate Dan on winning the CHL Coach of the Year honors this season.”

The former CHL player is in his sixth season as a head coach, all with the Brahmas, has a 217-135-36 record (including this season). In 2009, Wildfong guided the Brahmas to the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Championship.

In this year’s voting, Wildfong appeared on all nine ballots he was eligible (coaches were not permitted to vote for themselves) and earned seven first place votes and two second place votes for a total of 41 points. First place votes earned five points, second place votes earned three points and third place votes earned one point. Coming in second place with 22 points was Quad City’s Terry Ruskowski and finishing third with 14 points was last year’s winner, Wichita’s Kevin McClelland.

During his CHL career as a player, Wildfong played in 488 games (all with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs) where he helped them win titles in 2000 and 2001. He finished his career with 192 goals, 302 assists and is second all-time in the CHL with 1,970 penalty minutes. During his eight professional seasons, the Clinton, Ontario native was always a plus player collectively posting a CHL career +185 plus/minus rating.

CHL Coach of the Year (winners since 2001)
2012-13 – Dan Wildfong (Fort Worth)
2011-12 – Kevin McClelland (Wichita)
2010-11 – Jason Christie (Bloomington)
2009-10 – Joe Ferras (Rapid City)
2008-09 – Kevin Kaminski (Mississippi)
2007-08 – Scott Muscutt (Bossier-Shreveport)
2006-07 – Kevin McClelland (Memphis)
2005-06 – Terry Ruskowski (Laredo)
2004-05 – Chris Dashney (Lubbock)
2003-04 – Ray Edwards (San Angelo)
2002-03 – Ken McRae (Indianapolis)
2001-02 – Don McKee (Odessa)

[djmastermind]

Way to go Dan! Well deserved! We have a great chance at the championship this year.