THERRIEN NAMED ADAMS AWARD FINALIST

Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach Michel Therrien has been named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding coach in the National Hockey League. Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff and Vancouver’s Alain Vigneault were also announced as finalists.

Therrien led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 47-24-11 record (105 points), and their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2001 campaign this year. The 105 points in the standings was a 47-point improvement from a season ago, which represents the fourth highest improvement in NHL history.

The Montreal native spent two-plus seasons behind the AHL Penguins’ bench before being promoted to Pittsburgh on December 15, 2005. Therrien led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a 94-81-10 record and a trip to the 2004 Calder Cup Finals.

In addition to Therrien, Pittsburgh forward Sidney Crosby has been nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP), while Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal were both nominated for the Calder Memorial