SenShot’s Mid-Season NHL Awards

JACK ADAMS AWARD – Coach of The Year

NOMINEES:

EAST:  Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning

Cooper took over the team late last season, and this year has taken the Lightning near the top of the Eastern Conference and stayed there despite losing star forward Steven Stamkos to a leg injury.

Dec 5, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper talks with center Tyler Johnson (9) and teammates against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

WEST:  Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche have been the surprise team of the NHL, after finishing dead last in 2013, they got off to a tremendous start to the season and have remained in a playoff spot past the mid-way point of the season, with much of the spotlight

Dec 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy on the bench in the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Kings won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

WINNER:  ROY

The fact that it is tough for a player of his legend to make it behind the bench (see: Wayne Gretzky), Roy has done an admirable job with the young Avalanche and if he can guide the team to the post-season it will be a job well done for the Hall of Fame goaltender who had never coached pro hockey prior to this season.