LAS VEGAS – Bob Hartley of the Calgary Flames has won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.
Hartley accepted the award Wednesday night at the NHL Awards show in Las Vegas.
Hartley led the Flames to a 20-point improvement in his third season behind their bench, finishing third in the Pacific Division with a 45-30-7 record. Calgary also earned its first post-season berth since 2009 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Hartley beat out Nashville’s Peter Laviolette and the New York Rangers’ Alain Vigneault for the Adams Award.
In his acceptance speech, Hartley thanked his previous teams, the Colorado Avalanche and Atlanta Thrashers.
Hartley later said he has changed as a coach with experience since his time with Colorado and Atlanta and credited his players for the award.
“Apart from my wife I don’t think there’s anyone who comes to the Saddledome to watch me,” Hartley said.
Meantime, Flames forward Jiri Hudler stole the show after winning the Lady Byng as the league’s most gentlemanly player. After winning the award, Jiri stepped on stage with bare feet. “I have no shoes on, I’m sorry” said Hudler, “but I’ve got a new suit on.”
WATCH BELOW: Jiri Hudler’s shoeless acceptance speech at the NHL awards.
Hudler went on to mention some text messages he got from Coach Hartley, and Calder Nominee Johnny Gaudreau. “First one I got was from Bob Hartley. It said, make sure Johnny goes to sleep by midnight. The next one was from Johnny Hockey, it said make sure you tell Bob I was in bed by eleven.”
Johnny Gadreau was up for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year, but lost to Florida Panthers defenceman Arron Eckblad.
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