Fort Worth's Dan Wildfong Named CHL Coach of the Year
March 21, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
GLENDALE, AZ (March 21, 2013) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Fort Worth Brahmas Head Coach Kevin Dan Wildfong has been selected the recipient of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League Coach of the Year award following balloting among all CHL head coaches.
The Coach of the Year award is "Ëpresented annually to the Central Hockey League coach adjudged to have contributed most to his team's success.'
Through numerous hurdles, roster moves and injuries, Wildfong has guided his team to a remarkable season sitting with a 36-20-8 record and a place in the hunt for the overall points lead in the conference.
"Since stepping off the ice in 2007 to take the Head Coaching position with the Brahmas, Dan has demonstrated his strengths as the leader on the bench, just like he did on the ice as a player," said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner. "This award is always a special honor as it is voted upon by only his peers, showing the great respect they have for the job Dan does day-in and day-out coaching his team. On behalf of the entire CHL, we would like to congratulate Dan on winning the CHL Coach of the Year honors this season."
The former CHL player is in his sixth season as a head coach, all with the Brahmas, has a 217-135-36 record (including this season). In 2009, Wildfong guided the Brahmas to the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Championship.
In this year's voting, Wildfong appeared on all nine ballots he was eligible (coaches were not permitted to vote for themselves) and earned seven first place votes and two second place votes for a total of 41 points. First place votes earned five points, second place votes earned three points and third place votes earned one point. Coming in second place with 22 points was Quad City's Terry Ruskowski and finishing third with 14 points was last year's winner, Wichita's Kevin McClelland.
CHL Coach of the Year Balloting
Coach 1st Place Votes 2nd Place Votes 3rd Place Votes Total Points
Wildfong, FTW 7 2 0 41
Ruskowski, QDC 2 3 3 22
McClelland, WIC 1 2 3 14
During his CHL career as a player, Wildfong played in 488 games (all with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs) where he helped them win titles in 2000 and 2001. He finished his career with 192 goals, 302 assists and is second all-time in the CHL with 1,970 penalty minutes. During his eight professional seasons, the Clinton, Ontario native was always a plus player collectively posting a CHL career +185 plus/minus rating.
The CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman and the Scott Brower Award (Most Outstanding Goaltender) winners will be announced on Friday, March 22 and the CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced on Monday, March 25.
CHL Coach of the Year (winners since 2001)
2012-13 - Dan Wildfong (Fort Worth)
2011-12 - Kevin McClelland (Wichita)
2010-11 - Jason Christie (Bloomington)
2009-10 - Joe Ferras (Rapid City)
2008-09 - Kevin Kaminski (Mississippi)
2007-08 - Scott Muscutt (Bossier-Shreveport)
2006-07 - Kevin McClelland (Memphis)
2005-06 - Terry Ruskowski (Laredo)
2004-05 - Chris Dashney (Lubbock)
2003-04 - Ray Edwards (San Angelo)
2002-03 - Ken McRae (Indianapolis)
2001-02 - Don McKee (Odessa)
2012-13 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:
CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Vince Fedorowich, Arizona Sundogs
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year - Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush
CHL All-Rookie Team - Aaron Dell (ALN), Greger Hanson (WIC), Mike Hellyer (QDC), Matt McCready (ARZ), Sy Nutkevitch (FTW) and Daniel Spivak (FTW)
All-CHL Team - Aaron Dell (ALN), A.J. Gale (DEN), Mickey Lang (QDC), Tyler Ludwig (ALN), Sebastien Thinel (MIZ) and Kevin Young (WIC)
CHL Man of the Year - Travis Wight, Wichita Thunder
CHL Rookie of the Year - Mike Hellyer, Quad City Mallards
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2013
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- Joseph Randle to Drop Ceremonial Face-Off Friday - Wichita Thunder
- Mallards' Ruskowski Finishes Second in CHL Coach of the Year Voting - Quad City Mallards
- Fort Worth's Dan Wildfong Named CHL Coach of the Year - CHL
- Dan Wildfong Named CHL Coach of the Year - Fort Worth Brahmas
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- Original Owner of the Wichita Wind Larry Gordon Passes Away - Wichita Thunder
- Three First Period Goals Push Sundogs to 6-2 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Brahmas Drop First of Three Straight vs. Sundogs - Fort Worth Brahmas
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