WHL Portland Winterhawks

Ken Hodge, Jann Boss Earn WHL Awards

Published on March 18, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Ron Robison, Western Hockey League Commissioner, on behalf of the WHL Board of Governors, announced today that long-time Winterhawks head coach and general manager and inaugural Winterhawks Hall of Fame inductee Ken Hodge has been awarded the 2009-10 WHL Governors Award, while former front office executive Jann Boss is the recipient of the WHL Distinguished Service Award.

The WHL Governors Award is presented annually to an individual who, through their outstanding services as a builder of the League and achievements in the game, has contributed to the growth and development of the WHL.

Ken Hodge was the only Head Coach in Winterhawks history from the time the franchise relocated to Portland until he stepped down from the bench following the 1992 - 93 season to concentrate solely on serving as the Club's General Manager. During this period, Hodge set the WHL coaching all-time records including most games coached - 1411; most regular season victories - 742 and most playoff wins - 101. One of the major highlights of Hodge's coaching career came in 1982 - 83 when the host Winterhawks became the first ever U.S.-based franchise to capture the Memorial Cup. Hodge's success continued in his role as General Manager as he later built the Winterhawks into a perennial contender and captured the Memorial Cup Championship again in 1998. During Hodge's 32 years as Head Coach and General Manager, the Winterhawks made the playoffs 26 times and also captured two WHL Championships. Hodge, who continues to serve as a special advisor to the Winterhawks, coached close to 100 players in Portland who went on to play in the NHL.

"Ken Hodge is not only regarded as one of the most successful coaches in WHL history," stated WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, "but he also played an integral role in the Portland Winterhawks becoming one of the most dominant franchises in the WHL over two decades."

The WHL Governors Award, first awarded by the WHL in 2004 - 05, is the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the WHL Board of Governors. Previous recipients were: Bob Brown (2008 - 09); Bill Hunter, Scotty Munro and Jim Piggott (2007 - 08); Bob Cornell (2006 - 07); Jack McLeod (2005 - 06); Pat Ginnell, Ernie McLean, Bill Hicke and Del Wilson (2004 - 05).

The 2009 - 10 WHL Distinguished Service Award recipients are Jann Boss, a former front office executive with the Winterhawks and Graham Tuer, a longtime volunteer for the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and scout for the WHL's Kelowna Rockets.

From the time the Winterhawks arrived in Portland in 1976 until 2007, Boss was a fixture in the front office overseeing the Club finances and all aspects of the business operations. She was affectionately known as "Mama Hawk" for her steadfast devotion to the needs of all players who played in the Winterhawks organization. Boss played a key administrative role in developing the Winterhawks into one of the WHL's premier franchises and was highly regarded by everyone for her dedication to the organization.

The WHL Distinguished Service Award, which the WHL introduced in the 2004 - 05 season, is presented annually to an individual associated with the WHL who has made an extraordinary contribution over an extended period of time at the Club or League level.

Previous recipients of the WHL Distinguished Service Award include: Ruth "Grams" Pollock (Prince Albert Raiders Billet Coordinator); Dr. Ian Hill (Regina Pats Team Doctor); Dr. Alfred Blue (Seattle Thunderbirds Team Doctor); Doris Rubel (Kamloops Blazers Billet Coordinator); Colleen MacBean (Swift Current Broncos Education Advisor); and Bob Ridley (Medicine Hat Tigers Play-By-Play Announcer).

WHL Commissioner Ron Robison will be in Portland on Sunday, March 21 to present Ken Hodge and Jann Boss with their awards as part of the pre-game ceremonies leading up to game two in the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Quarter Final between the host Portland Winterhawks and Spokane Chiefs.

The Winterhawks open their first round playoff series with the Spokane Chiefs Saturday night at the Rose Garden at 7 p.m., and Game 2 will be Sunday at the Rose Garden at 5 p.m. Single game playoff tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations and online at ticketmaster.com, as well as the Rose Quarter box office and the Winterhawks' ticket office in the Memorial Coliseum. Contact the Winterhawks at 503-236-HAWK (4295) or seats@winterhawks.com for more information.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2010


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