Jim Montgomery Wins Spencer Penrose Award

University of Denver head coach Jim Montgomery has been named the Spencer Penrose Award winner as the top coach in Division I college hockey for the 2016-17 season.

The fourth year bench boss of the Pioneers just earned his 100th career win in the team’s win over Penn State to clinch a second consecutive trip to the Frozen Four. DU is 31-7-4 this season and the favorite to win the NCAA Championship on Saturday night in Chicago.

Montgomery, a native of Montreal, played college hockey at the University of Maine, playing a major role in the Black Bears’ 1992-93 National Championship season. He spent time as an assistant at RPI, Notre Dame and as a head coach with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL prior to his arrival in the Mile High City.

Montgomery’s Pioneers take on Notre Dame on Thursday with a chance to play for the title at stake. Harvard’s Ted Donato was the runner-up for the award. The Crimson will face Minnesota Duluth in the first national semifinal on Thursday at the United Center.