Men's Hockey Coach Wayne Wilson named Spencer Penrose Award Finalist
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT men's hockey coach Wayne Wilson was named a finalist for the 2023 Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Division I Men's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year.
Finalists are comprised of the coach of the year honorees from the nation's six men's hockey conferences, along with any other coaches who have led their teams to the NCAA Frozen Four. Wilson won his first Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year award earlier this month.
- Wilson guided RIT to a 25-13-1 record this past winter - the second most wins in a season during the Tigers' Division I era.
- Wilson led the Tigers to an 18-7-1 conference finish, winning the inaugural Robert DeGregorio Trophy by 10 points in the final standings. He also led RIT to its fifth regular-season championship as well as the top seed for the Atlantic Hockey Tournament.
- Wilson moved into a tie for 40th in NCAA Men's Ice Hockey history with 434 victories and currently ranks ninth among active Division I coaches with a 434-303-78 record the last 24 seasons - all on the Tiger bench.
- Wilson previously won the Spencer Penrose award in 2010 after leading RIT to its first Atlantic Hockey Championship and an appearance in the Frozen Four. He also won the Edward Jeremiah Award in 2001 as the Division III Coach of the Year and is the only coach in the NCAA hockey history to win both awards.
- Wilson totaled a 116-31-12 mark in six Division III campaigns (1999-2005) and owns a 318-272-66 record during 18 Division-I seasons.
- Wilson coached his 800th career game earlier this season, becoming only the 48th coach in NCAA history to achieve the milestone.
2022-23 Spencer Penrose Award 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
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