Peoria's Jean-Guy Trudel Named Easton Coach of the Year
Published on April 8, 2015 under SPHL (SPHL) News Release
HUNTERSVILLE, NC - The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on Wednesday announced that Jean-Guy Trudel of the Peoria Rivermen has been selected as the Easton Coach of the Year in a vote of league coaches, general managers and media representatives.
Mississippi's Derek Landmesser finished second in the voting.
In his second season as Rivermen head coach, Trudel led Peoria to the SPHL's regular season championship, posting a record of 36-17-3.
Trudel became the 19th head coach in Peoria Rivermen franchise history on May 25, 2013 and just the third former player to return as head coach. Before joining the Rivermen, Trudel spent three seasons as the head coach of the amateur Peoria Mustangs (North American 3 Hockey League). During his tenure, the Mustangs qualified for the playoffs in each season and compiled a record of 77-52-12. He won 11 additional playoff games and led the Mustangs to the NA3HL Silver Cup Championship this past March.
Inducted into the Peoria Rivermen Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011, Trudel played 177 games for Peoria over parts of three seasons. Overall, he finished with 234 points (87g, 147a) and had another 19 points in 12 ECHL playoff games between 1996 and 1998.
SPHL Coach of the Year Award Winners
2014-15 - Jean-Guy Trudel, Peoria Rivermen
2013-14 - Rod Aldoff, Pensacola Ice Flyers
2012-13 - Mark DeSantis, Fayetteville FireAntz
2011-12 - Jeff Bes, Mississippi Surge
2010-11 - Brad Ralph, Augusta RiverHawks
2009-10 - Steffon Walby, Mississippi Surge
2008-09 - Scott Hillman, Knoxville Ice Bears
2007-08 - Rick Allain, Jacksonville Barracudas
2006-07 - John Marks, Fayetteville FireAntz
2005-06 - Jerome Bechard, Columbus Cottonmouths
2004-05 - Derek Booth, Fayetteville FireAntz
The SPHL will announce its Most Valuable Player on Thursday.
SPHL Stories from April 8, 2015
- IceBears Cling to 3-2 Win over IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Peoria's Jean-Guy Trudel Named Easton Coach of the Year - SPHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
