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USHL Tri-City Storm

Anthony Noreen Named USHL Coach of the Year

June 2, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


KEARNEY, NE. - Tri-City Storm Head Coach Anthony Noreen has been named the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Coach of the Year for the 2021-2022 season. Noreen led this year's team to an organizational record of forty-seven wins during the regular season and an Anderson Cup Championship. He was previously named the USHL's Coach of the Year for the 2014-2015, and 2018-2019 seasons. Noreen is the only Head Coach in the Storm's twenty-two-year history to be awarded USHL Coach of the Year honors.

Anthony Noreen, of Chicago, Illinois, guided the Storm to an overall record of 47-11-3-1, and a second consecutive Western Conference Regular Season Championship. The ninety-eight points recorded in the standings by this year's team tied the USHL's Tier I era (2002-Present) record for most points in a single season. Tri-City's forty-seven wins set a new team record for most in a single season, and the Storm's eleven regular losses set a new organizational record for the fewest in a single season. This year's Storm team won eleven straight games from December 31st, 2021, to February 5th, 2022. The winning streak set a new record for the longest in team history. The 2021-2022 Storm team tied the organization's record for the longest points streak (thirteen games), and the longest home winning streak (ten games). Tri-City's twenty-seven home wins this season were the most in the organization's twenty-two-year history. The Storm also set new records for most home points (fifty-five), and most road points (forty-three) notched in a single season in team history. Tri-City also set new organizational records this season for most goals scored (two hundred and sixty), most assists recorded (four hundred and seventy), and most points recorded (seven hundred and twenty-nine). The Storm also set a new record this season for the highest combined plus/minus rating (+395). Tri-City's eighty-three powerplay goals this season were the most in a single season in organizational history.

Noreen's 2021-2022 Anderson Cup Championship team was the third in organizational history. Tri-City also won a regular season title for the 2003-2004, and 2018-2019 seasons. The Storm has produced more than twenty NHL draft picks, and over one hundred NCAA Division I players during Noreen's tenure with the organization. He has coached two USHL Player of the Year award winners (Ronnie Attard, and Mitchell Miller), two USHL Defenseman of the Year award winners (Ronnie Attard, and Mitchell Miller), three USHL Goaltender of the Year award winners (Filip Larsson, Isaiah Saville, Arsenii Sergeev), one USHL Forward of the Year award winner (Jeremy Wilmer), and one USHL Rookie of the Year award winner (Zac Jones) during his time with the Storm. Noreen captured his 300th career USHL win during the 2021-2022 season in an 8-0 home shutout of the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Center on March 5th, 2022. He is the longest-tenured, and winningest, Head Coach in the twenty-two-year history of the Tri-City Storm organization. The team previously announced a contract extension for Noreen through the 2023-2024 USHL season.

"I feel honored and humbled to win this award. I have the utmost respect for the USHL, my peers, and the great men who have come before me in this league. This is an organizational award that can only be achieved when you are supported and surrounded by special people. The support Dave Vennetti, Mark Jalcovik, Andy Bloomer, and Stan Bowman give us is second to none, and they are truly in this for the right reason. Mike Lucas and our front office/arena staff are selfless in what they do, and always put what is best for this team first. What Jason Koehler does behind the scenes, and the job he has done scouting and attracting players is elite. Shawn Sramek, David Nies, Sam Povorozniouk, Tyler Cook, Adam Strecker, Trey Hibberd, Kendall Grayson, Bob Haller, and Matt Zaba put the development of our players first at all times, push each other, and make for a great work environment. Jeff LoVecchio, Ryan Ward, Karl Linden, Robbie Murden, Joe Meloni, Niko Kapetanovic, Marco Trevino, and Nick Perry were integral to our organization this season. Also, Scott White and our billet families, as well as the best fans in the USHL, make our players feel at home and give us a true home-ice advantage. Finally, our players this year will never be forgotten. Our staff loves this group and cannot say enough about the way they came and worked every day, their commitment to one another, and the bond they formed."- President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen

"It has been an incredible week for the Tri-City Storm organization, and something to feel really proud and honored to be a part of. Anthony has a huge role, if not the most important role in the organization. He is an unbelievable coach and an even better person. I cannot name all the things that the team did this year, but it was unbelievable. He knows how to get the best out of everyone on the ice and on his staff. We are fortunate to have Anthony leading our hockey operations and this is an unbelievable achievement for Anthony."- President of Business Operations Mark Jalcovik

"We are extremely fortunate to have what I deem the best coach in junior hockey in Anthony Noreen. The results this season speak for themselves with our club's various team and individual records which are a result of the environment that Coach Noreen creates every day here (and every season). Our players not only improve while playing and developing in Kearney, but also learn to grow as competitive and successful young men and leaders on and off the ice which is just as important as wins, college commitments, and NHL draft prospects for our club. Coach Noreen, most importantly, provides a daily environment where the players are excited to get to the rink every day and have fun. That energy is addictive throughout the team and staff within our organization which translates to on-ice success. Coach Noreen is a huge asset for us here in Tri-City, but also to the USHL and junior hockey in the United States." - General Manager Jason Koehler

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