Monday, July 21, 2008

Stevens named Coach of the Year by The Hockey News

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

Though snubbed in the initial voting for the Jack Adams Award for best coach in the NHL, John Stevens has apparently been recognized for his efforts last season.

On Monday, The Sporting News named Stevens its Coach of the Year for 2007-08. Stevens, at times maligned as his club took several downturns during the regular season, nonetheless presided over a 39-point improvement from 2006-07. The Flyers finished the season with a 42-29-11 mark and 95 points, good enough for fourth place in the competitive Atlantic Division.

In addition, his club reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004 in a surprise playoff run which saw the Flyers top the Southeast champion Washington Capitals and top-seeded Montreal Canadiens before bowing to Stanley Cup runners-up the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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