Brian Curran Named UHL Coach of the Year
May 2, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release
Moline, IL-The United Hockey League announced today that Mallards General Manager / Head Coach Brian Curran is the league's Coach of the Year for the 2005-06 campaign. Curran guided the Mallards to a 41-27-8 record during the regular season and an appearance in the 2006 Colonial Cup Playoffs. This marks the third time in Curran's six-year coaching career that he has been named the Coach of the Year in his league. He is the first head coach in Mallards history to earn the award.
Before coming to the Quad Cities, Curran was named the Coach of the Year in the Western Professional Hockey League (with the 1999-2000 Monroe Moccasins) and the Atlantic Coast Hockey League Coach of the Year (with the 2002-03 Macon Trax). This year, Curran captured his 200th professional victory and also coached in his 400th professional game. This is the first time in Curran's career that his team has surpassed the 40-win barrier.
"This is a fantastic honor," said Curran. "I would like to sincerely thank everyone who voted for me. It is very rewarding for me to be acknowledged by my peers in this league. Individual awards are a great thing, but they are accomplished by the team. This year's team has been a pleasure to work with, and I've enjoyed watching all of them develop during this season."
Curran then added, "I'm proud to be recognized, but if it's okay with the coaches and general managers, I'll trade this in for a win tonight (the Mallards play Game Seven of their Quarterfinal Series with Danbury tonight)."
"Brian has done amazing things with this team all year," said Tim Taylor, Mallards President. "Just look at tonight's game. We're playing a Game Seven against one of the most skilled teams in the league, and it's largely because Brain has been able to get the most out of every player on our roster. He has instilled a great work ethic into a group that plays with unbelievable heart.
"Brian is very deserving of this tremendous honor," said Mike Tatoian, Chief Executive Officer of Victory Sports Group. "Every season there seems to be many coaches that are considered strong candidates to receive this award but based on when he started this season, the team he was able to recruit and the tenacity and cohesiveness of our team all season long, there is no question that he is this season's UHL Coach of the Year."
"We can all enjoy this award along with Brian," Tatoian continued. "However, knowing the Colonel's character, he would trade any individual award for a Colonial Cup Championship. I am sure he will not savior this until the season is completely over, but it is something that he will surely be proud to have achieved especially coaching against some of the most outstanding coaches in minor professional hockey."
The Mallards play Game Seven of the 2006 Colonial Cup Quarterfinals presented by Galaxy One Marketing vs. the Danbury Trashers tonight in Danbury. Game time is 6:00 p.m. central time. Fans in the Quad Cities can catch all the action live via the b2 Networks at The Lodge in Bettendorf. Admission is $3 per person. The game can also be heard on Fox Sports Radio AM 1230 beginning with the Maroon Mortgage Pre-Game Show at 5:35 p.m. During the intermissions, stay tuned for the Swiss Valley Farms Intermission Report. After the game, the Allstate Insurance Christy Cox Post-Game Show is on the air.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from May 2, 2006
- Trashers rebound from 3-0 deficit to win, take series - Danbury Trashers
- Komets jersey auction raises $18,125 - Fort Wayne Komets
- Brian Curran Named UHL Coach of the Year - Quad City Mallards
- Quad City's Brian Curran named UHL Coach of the Year - IHL 2
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