RICHMOND NAMED COACH-OF-THE-YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League announced today that James Richmond (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) of the Aurora Tigers has been named the recipient of the 2014-15 OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Award.
The 2014 recipient becomes the first back-to-back winner of the award since Evan Robinson of the Kingston Voyageurs captured the same honour for the Ruddock Division in 2009 and OJAHL in 2010. After finishing as OJHL runner-up last season, it seemed impossible that Richmond could improve the team for a fifth consecutive season, but that is just what he accomplished this past year in leading the Tigers to the OJHL Regular Season Championship for the first time since 2007 and third time in franchise history. Aurora posted a 44-7-3 record for 91 points and an .843 winning percentage; a 12 point improvement from last season. Remarkably, Richmond, who was also named runner-up as the OJHL Executive-of-the-Year, achieved this result while graduating 15 players from last year's squad that lost in the league Championship Series to the Toronto Patriots.
Also for the second consecutive year, the impressive season saw the Tigers post a league-best 23-2-2 record on the road; four more victories than the regular season runner-up Trenton Golden Hawks. Other league-high results for Richmond's club include most consecutive wins (14), while also posting two 11-game win streaks, the most consecutive home wins (14) and the most consecutive road wins (11). Dominant on special teams, the Tigers had the league's best power play unit, firing at a 24.08% efficiency led by the OJHL's top goal scoring defenceman Eric Williams. The 1st Team All-Star was the backbone of the unit, and not only led all rearguards, but finished second among all players with 17 power play goals. Meanwhile, Aurora was just as proficient on the penalty kill, sitting second behind the Cobourg Cougars by stopping their opponents 89.45% of the time. Tigers’ netminders Andy Munroe and Marcus Semiao were the key to the effectiveness as the pair allowed a league-low 112 goals against.
The 50-year old native of Mississauga, Ontario, who now resides in Oak Ridges, previously coached the Georgetown Raiders from 2005-06 to 2009-10, being named the MacKinnon Division's Coach-of-the-Year in 2008-09 after leading his club to the OJHL Regular Season title. After playing Junior 'B' for the famed Henry Carr Crusaders (now Orangeville Flyers franchise), Richmond spent four seasons playing NCAA Division I hockey with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, before turning professional in Europe. Following a brief minor pro career in Europe and North America, Richmond set his sights on coaching and has become a well-respected teacher of the game. Two years ago, he was hired by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings in a player development role to work with the club's younger players and prospects, and was rewarded by being a member of the club's 2014 Stanley Cup Championship.
The OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Award is awarded to the Head Coach that is adjudged to have contributed the most to his club’s success throughout the course of the regular season.
Jamie Caruso of the Orangeville Flyers was named runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Richmond.
The first-year Flyers bench boss led the club to their first OJHL post-season berth since 2012, finishing in second place in the West Division standings with a 25-25-4 record for 54 points. The record marked a 43 point improvement over the 2013-14 season and a remarkable turn-around for the franchise and its fans.
The Most Improved Player Award recipient will be announced later this week.
2014-15 OJHL Award Winners
Award Winner Runner-Up
Top Scorer Steve Hladin (GEO) Brady Wiffen (TRE)
Top Goaltender Stefano Durante (COB) Daniel Mannella (OAK)
Executive Rob Campbell (OAK) James Richmond (AUR)
Trainer Drew Laskoski (NEW) Sarah Dittmers (TRE)
Humanitarian Sean Kohler (OAK) Stefano Durante (COB)
Volunteer John McDonald (TRE) Kim Anderson (NEW)
Coach James Richmond (AUR) Jamie Caruso (ORA)
Previous OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 James Richmond (AUR) Jason Fortier (TLP)
2012-13 Michael Peca (BUF) John Dean (NYR)
2011-12 Greg Walters (GEO) Craig Donovan (STO)
2010-11 Brian Perrin (NEW) Paul Bedford (PET)
*Awarded by Division prior to 2010-11
Year OJAHL CCHL East CCHL West
2009-10 Evan Robinson (KIN) Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Mark Jooris (BUR)
Year Ruddock Central Phillips MacKinnon
2008-09 Evan Robinson (KIN) Marty Abrams (WEL) Dale Hawerchuk (ORA) James Richmond (GEO)
Year South East North West
2007-08 Frank Carnevale (VAU) Dan West (BOW) Bart Crashley (COU) Randy Novak (MIL)
Rich Ricci (STM)
2006-07 John Winder (PIC) Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Jerome Dupont (AUR) Don Edwards (OAK)
2005-06 Mark Filippone (VAU) Evan Robinson (KIN) Norm McAuley (COL) John McDonald (HAM)
2004-05 Steve Cooke (WEX) Bret Meyers (PH) Tom McCarthy (HUN) Randy Novak (BRP)
John Winder (PIC)
2003-04 Chris DiPiero (STM) Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Ray Flaherty (COU) Randy Gumbley (STR)
2002-03 Russ Herrington (MAR) Rod McGillis (TRE) Marty Williamson (AUR) Wes Wiseman (BUR)
2001-02 Chris DiPiero (STM) Marty Abrams (WEL) Ray Flaherty (COU) Jay Anderson (OAK)
2000-01 Frank Carnevale (THN) Paul Bedford (LIN) Brad Selwood (NEW) Matt English (BUF)
1999-00 Lindsay Hofford (VAU) Marty Abrams (WEL) Ray Flaherty (COU) Rick Tarasuk (STR)
Year East Central West
1998-99 Roy Reid (BAN) Brad Selwood (AUR) Lindsay Hofford (BRA
Year East West
1997-98 Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Rob O'Brien (BRP)
1996-97 J.J. Johnston (PET) Frank Carnevale (BRP)
1995-96 Tom Dickey (COL) Lindsay Hofford (BRA)/Gregg Carrigan (MIL)
1994-95 Marty Sullivan (LIN) Mike Kalapaca (STR)/Glenn Walsh (HAM)
1993-94 Scott Jackson (ORL) Greg Ireland (OAK)
1992-93 Don Melanson (PET) Rick Bince (MIL)
