The Midwest Junior Hockey League today announced that Jason McCrimmon of the Motor City Monarchs has been named Coach of the Year, as voted on by the league’s seven head coaches.

McCrimmon took the expansion Monarchs to a second-place finish during the regular season with a record of 33-13-0-0, in addition to having the league’s top power play (28.29%) and penalty kill (88.44%).

The Monarchs finished second in goals scored with 221 and also boasted the league scoring champion in Adam Jonak, who compiled 105 points this season, the top-scoring defenseman in Jarrad Vroman (10 goals, 45 assists, 55 points) and one of the league’s top goaltenders in Tyler Skulley (16-6-0-0, 3.04 GAA, .911 save % and two shutouts). All three players came to the Monarchs in summer 2014 trades.

Motor City owner-GM Mark Gilman said McCrimmon’s accomplishments behind the bench this season were second to none.

“There wouldn't be a Monarchs team without Jason McCrimmon,” said Gilman. “We wouldn't have the success we've had this year without Jason McCrimmon, who is bar none the best game and development coach in junior hockey. I'm glad he finally had his own platform this season to help him prove it to those who may have doubted him. I never did."

McCrimmon was a co-head coach in 2013-14 with the Detroit Fighting Irish, guiding that team to a third-place finish and a playoff berth.

The Monarchs swept the Michigan Ice Dogs in the first round of this season’s Veteran’s Memorial Cup Playoffs last weekend and host the Fighting Irish this weekend in the semifinals. Game 1 is Friday night at the Jack Adams Ice Arena in Detroit, while Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be at Fraser Hockeyland.

The MWJHL Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year will be announced on Wednesday, Defenseman of the Year on Thursday, Forward of the Year on Friday and Organization of the Year next week.

Photo/Kenneth Demmers