Patrick Roy Wins Jack Adams Award, Ryan O’Reilly Wins Lady Byng Award
By Andrew Dill
Jun 24, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy poses with the Jack Adams Trophy after being named head coach of the year during the 2014 NHL Awards ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
After seeing the team’s number one overall pick Nathan MacKinnon win the Calder Trophy for the NHL’s best rookie, Patrick Roy would be named the NHL’s best coach in 2014, taking home the Jack Adams trophy. Roy rallied the team behind him after finishing 29th in the entire league, to winning the Central Division title plus making the playoffs.
Roy went on to say that he received the award due the players and their commitment they brought to the game night in and night out. Roy would receive the award over coaches Mike Babcock (Detroit Red Wings) and John Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning).
His player Ryan O’Reilly would go on to win the Lady Byng award later in the night, edging out Martin St. Louis (New York Rangers) and Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks). O’Reilly had a career-year in terms of points with 64, collecting 28 goals and 36 assists.
During the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first-round against the Minnesota Wild, O’Reilly would go on to collect six points in seven games; 2 goals and 4 assists. Avalanche fans everywhere have been cringing since the season ended about trying to retain both O’Reilly and Paul Stastny — both played a key part to the 2013-14′ season.
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov would get edged out in the running for the Vezina Trophy award which is awarded to the best goaltender. Tuukka Rask was named the 2014 Vezina Trophy award winner, beating out Varlamov and Ben Bishop (Tampa Bay Lightning).
Varlamov posted an impressive record of 41-14-6 through the season, sitting at a goals against average of 2.41, plus a save percentage of .927%.
All-in-all, it was nice to see the Avalanche snag three out of the four awards they were nominated for. Cannot wait to see what this club has in store for us come this October.