Coach of the Year Candidates:
Dean Blais, Nebraska Omaha - Coach Blais has the chance to bring Nebraska-Omaha back to the NCAA Tournament after their embarrassing season last year. He was able to compile quite the recruiting class and his resume from North Dakota (five 30-win seasons) proves he can win. Nebraska-Omaha's tough schedule will be a major factor in Blais's chances to win COY this season. Playing in the WCHA is always a challenge. If UNO can win consistently and return to the Tournament, expect Blais to be a front runner for COY.
Ted Donato, Harvard - Donato started his tenure at Harvard with back-to-back 20 win seasons but has since struggled with the Crimson, winning less than 50% of their games every season. With four of their top 5 scorers returning, a strong recruiting class, and one of the best defensemen in the country in Danny Biega, Harvard could surprise opponents this year and make a run for the ECAC championship, earning them an auto-bid into the NCAA Tournament at the season's end.
Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame - Legendary head coach Jackson will no doubt turnaround the under performing Irish of last season. They had a very mediocre season, especially when compared to the amount of their recent success ('08 and '11 Frozen Fours). With the vast talent pool Jackson has accumulated at Notre Dame, expect him to right the Irish ship and see them in another NCAA Tournament this season. However, Notre Dame's assets may hinder his COY chances. It's hard not to win when your team is that loaded.
Dean Blais, Nebraska Omaha - Coach Blais has the chance to bring Nebraska-Omaha back to the NCAA Tournament after their embarrassing season last year. He was able to compile quite the recruiting class and his resume from North Dakota (five 30-win seasons) proves he can win. Nebraska-Omaha's tough schedule will be a major factor in Blais's chances to win COY this season. Playing in the WCHA is always a challenge. If UNO can win consistently and return to the Tournament, expect Blais to be a front runner for COY.
Ted Donato, Harvard - Donato started his tenure at Harvard with back-to-back 20 win seasons but has since struggled with the Crimson, winning less than 50% of their games every season. With four of their top 5 scorers returning, a strong recruiting class, and one of the best defensemen in the country in Danny Biega, Harvard could surprise opponents this year and make a run for the ECAC championship, earning them an auto-bid into the NCAA Tournament at the season's end.
Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame - Legendary head coach Jackson will no doubt turnaround the under performing Irish of last season. They had a very mediocre season, especially when compared to the amount of their recent success ('08 and '11 Frozen Fours). With the vast talent pool Jackson has accumulated at Notre Dame, expect him to right the Irish ship and see them in another NCAA Tournament this season. However, Notre Dame's assets may hinder his COY chances. It's hard not to win when your team is that loaded.