Julien, Ward share Coach of the Year
Published on April 8, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MA ... The American Hockey League announced today that for their efforts with the Hamilton Bulldogs this season, Claude Julien and Geoff Ward have been named the joint winners of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding head coach for the 2002-03 season, as voted by members of the media in each of the league's 28 member cities.
The Bulldogs rolled to the best record in the American Hockey League in 2002-03 while serving as the top development team for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers. Hamilton posted a mark of 33-6-3-3 in 45 games under Julien before he was promoted to head coach of the Canadiens on Jan. 17; assistant Ward took over in Hamilton and guided the 'Dogs to a 49-19-8-4 finish, capturing the franchise's first division championship. Less than three weeks into his first AHL head coaching stint, Ward served as coach for the PlanetUSA team at the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic.
The Bulldogs lost several players to long-term recalls during the season, including Marcel Hossa, Fernando Pisani, Mike Komisarek and Mathieu Garon, and saw captain and then-leading scorer Benoit Gratton miss three months with an injury.
The Louis A.R. Pieri Award, which was first presented in 1968, honors the late Mr. Pieri, a long-time contributor to the AHL as the owner of the Providence Reds. Pieri also served as the general manager of three Calder Cup champions (1938, 1940, 1949) in Providence.
This is the first time two coaches from the same team have shared the Pieri Award; Maine's Mike Milbury and Hershey's John Paddock were co-winners after tying in the voting in 1988. Other previous winners of the award include Frank Mathers (1969), Fred Shero (1970), Al MacNeil (1972, '77), Don Cherry (1974), John Muckler (1975), Jacques Demers (1983), Larry Pleau (1987), Marc Crawford (1993), Barry Trotz (1994), Peter Laviolette (1999) and Bruce Cassidy (2002).
Now in its 67th season, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 77 percent of all players to compete in the NHL this season have been AHL graduates, and over 380 players have taken the ice in both leagues in 2002-03. Four AHL head coaches have also been promoted to the NHL during this season. The Calder Cup 2003 Playoffs get underway on Wednesday night, with 20 teams vying for the honor of capturing the league's coveted championship trophy.
American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2003
- Royal Review - Manchester Monarchs
- AHL playoff series previews - AHL
- Julien and Ward Named AHL's Outstanding Coaches - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Julien, Ward share Coach of the Year - AHL
- Curtis Murphy Recalled by Minnesota - Houston Aeros
- Aeros End Season with 104 Points - Houston Aeros
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