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Anthony Noreen Named USHL Coach of the Year

May 29, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


Chicago, IL - The United States Hockey League today announced that Anthony Noreen of the Youngstown Phantoms has been named the 2014-15 USHL Coach of the Year as determined by a vote of League coaches and general managers.

Noreen led the Phantoms to a 40-14-6 record (86 points) which was the best mark in the USHL and earned them the Anderson Cup title. The 40 wins were the most in team history and they qualified for the playoffs for the third time over the last four seasons. Youngstown also set team records with 20 home victories and 20 road victories. Their 20 wins on the road led the League.

The Phantoms went from last in the Eastern Conference standings to first in a span of a year as their 2014-15 record represented a 23-win and 46-point improvement from their record in 2013-14 (17-37-6). It was one of the largest turnarounds in USHL history.

Noreen also guided the Phantoms to another piece of history as they produced a 17-game winning streak from February 6th to April 4th. It was the longest such streak in the USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present). During the streak, the Phantoms beat 10 different USHL teams and outscored the opposition 75-30. Including those 17 games, Youngstown finished the regular season with a 21-1-1 record over their final 23 contests.

The Phantoms were among League leaders in multiple categories under Noreen this season. They scored more goals than any other team (233) while also leading in power play goals (65) and shorthanded goals (16). Youngstown gave up the third-fewest goals (166) in the USHL and ranked second overall in penalty killing (86.7%).

Noreen coached a number of Phantoms players to individual success this season, including Kyle Connor who led the League in scoring and was named both the USHL Player of the Year and USHL Forward of the Year. Maxim Letunov tied for fourth in League scoring and was named to the All-USHL Second Team. Josh Melnick led the League with 48 assists, setting a new team record. Chris Birdsall ranked fifth among League goaltenders with a 2.46 GAA and tied for fourth with a .914 SV%, while Colin DeAugustine ranked 10th with a 2.68 GAA and eighth overall with 22 victories.

Five Phantoms were selected to compete in the 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, including Kevin Conley who was named one of the game MVP's. Additionally, 24 players that suited up for Noreen this season are committed to play NCAA Division I hockey following their USHL careers.

Noreen has coached the Phantoms for four seasons and has compiled a 126-99-19 record in the regular season, ranking fifth among active USHL coaches in total victories.

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