Farrish becomes first IceGators coach to win Coach of the Year
Published on April 4, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Princeton, NJ - Louisiana IceGators head coach and vice president of hockey operations Dave Farrish has been named the ECHL Coach of the Year as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches. Farrish is the first IceGators coach to win this prestigious honor in the franchise's seven years. The team made the announcement at a Thursday afternoon press conference, which also saw goaltender Frederic Cloutier receive his trophies for being voted the league's Goaltender of the Year and CCM/Rookie of the Year.
Farrish is in his second season with the IceGators and has a regular season record of 98-36-10, including this season's record-setting run. Farrish led his team to a 56-12-4 record in 2001-02, and the IceGators set ECHL records for wins (56), home wins (30), road wins (26), points (116), shutouts (10) and winning percentage (.806). The IceGators also set the ECHL record for lowest goals against average (2.17) and became the first team since 1990-91 to lead the ECHL in fewest goals allowed and most goals scored. Louisiana tied the ECHL record with a 14-game winning streak and is the first team since Pee Dee in 1998-99 to go an entire season without losing back-to-back game in regulation. Farrish was one of two Southern Conference coaches for the 2002 Sovereign Bank/ECHL All-Star game, won by the Southern Conference.
The IceGators, who beat Jackson 5-2 last night in Game 1 of the Southwest Division Semifinals, will host Game 2 of the series Friday at 7:35 p.m.. Then, the action shifts to Jackson on Sunday for a 2 p.m. start. Louisiana will return home for Games 4 and 5, if necessary, hosting Game 4 Monday at 7:05 p.m. and Game 5 Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.
ECHL Coach of the Year Winners
2001-02 Dave Farrish, Louisiana IceGators
2000-01 Troy Ward, Trenton Titans
1999-2000 Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades
1998-99 Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades
1997-98 Chris Nilan, Chesapeake IceBreakers
1996-97 Brian McCutcheon, Columbus Chill
1995-96 Roy Summer, Richmond Renegades
1994-95 Jim Playfair, Dayton Bombers
1993-94 Barry Smith, Knoxville Cherokees
1992-93 Kurt Kleinedorst, Raleigh IceCaps
1991-92 Doug Sauter, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds
1990-91 Don Jackson, Knoxville Cherokees
1989-90 Dave Allison, Virginia Lancers
1988-89 Ron Hansis, Erie Panthers
ECHL Stories from April 4, 2002
- Grrrowl Drop Playoff Opener to Florida, 4-2 - Greenville Grrrowl
- Windshield Shades and Paul Rosebush Bobbleheads This Weekend - Bakersfield Condors
- Fan Appreciation Weekend - Fresno Falcons
- Bierk Named Goaltender of the Month - Augusta Lynx
- Augusta's Bierk Named ECHL Goalie of the Month for March - ECHL
- Louisiana's Farrish Named Coach of the Year - ECHL
- John Olver Named WCHL Coach Of The Year - Idaho Steelheads
- Bombers Grab Game One of 'Ice-75' Series - Dayton Bombers
- Farrish becomes first IceGators coach to win Coach of the Year - Louisiana IceGators
- Chiefs Host Peoria In Game #3 Tomorrow - Johnstown Chiefs
- All Along the Coast - ECHL
- Clapton and Brindley Head For AHL - South Carolina Stingrays
- Steelheads Capture Founders Cup With 4-0 Win - Idaho Steelheads
- IceGators 5, Jackson 2 - Louisiana IceGators
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