Odessa's Don McKee Honored with Rick Kozuback Award
Published on March 17, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
Don McKee, Head Coach of the Odessa Jackalopes, has today been named the 2004-2005 recipient of the Central Hockey League's Rick Kozuback Award. The award is "presented annually to the CHL owner, front office staff member, coach or player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and commitment to the game, sport and business of hockey" and honors Rick Kozuback, founder of the Western Professional Hockey League and current President & CEO of Global Entertainment, the CHL's parent company.
McKee, who joined the Jackalopes in November of 1999, has twice been named "Coach of the Year", earning the recognition in 2000-2001 with the WPHL and in 2001-2002 with the CHL. Under McKee's guidance, Odessa made four consecutive player appearances (2000- 2003), won three division titles (2001-2003) and established a then-record winning percentage of .781 in the 2001-2002 season. Notably, two of McKee's former player-assistants are currently enjoying success serving as CHL Head Coaches, with Derek Laxdal leading the Wichita Thunder and Greg Gatto heading the Austin Ice Bats.
Off the ice, McKee's impact in the Permian Basin may be even more significant. A tireless ambassador for the Jackalopes, the Central Hockey League and the game of hockey, McKee is an active participant in all community relations programs, operates a High School Student Program, and organized and consults for Odessa's Youth Hockey Association.
On November 19th this season, McKee coached his 300th game with the Jackalopes, and enters the final weekend of the regular season with a career mark of 189 wins, 119 losses and 41 shootout /overtime losses, good for a career winning percentage just above .600. Prior to joining Odessa, McKee spent 13 seasons as head coach of the University of Waterloo, compiling a record of 201-84-29. McKee will receive the award Friday evening, prior to Odessa's last home game of the regular season.
The recipient of the Rick Kozuback Award is determined by the by the CHL front office, based upon nominations and supporting materials provided by member teams. Also receiving strong consideration for the honor were Naomi DeuFriend, in her seventh season of outstanding service as the Fort Worth Brahmas' Director of Operations and Community Relations, and Bossier-Shreveport owner John Madden, a key member of the Ark-La-Tex community who has been instrumental in the creation of the Bossier and Shreveport Amateur Hockey Association.
Friday, the Most Outstanding Defenseman and Coach of the Year award recipients will be announced. The Joe Burton Award, presented to the regular season scoring champion, will be determined at the completion of the regular season on Sunday, March 20th.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2005
- RiverKings defeat Amarillo for seventh straight home victory - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rayz "Bee-t" Rio Grande Valley again - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Odessa's Don McKee Honored with Rick Kozuback Award - CHL
- Lubbock's Paul Fioroni Named 2004-2005 CHL Man of the Year - CHL
- Lubbock stages late comeback to beat Eagles in OT - Colorado Eagles
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