Men's Ice Hockey ECAC Hockey

Brekke, Donato, Pecknold Named ECAC Hockey Tim Taylor Men’s Coach of the Year Finalists

Bench bosses leading three of the league’s top four finishers tabbed for annual honor

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — ECAC Hockey has announced the three finalists for the league’s annual ECAC Hockey Tim Taylor Men’s Coach of the Year award: Brent Brekke (St. Lawrence), Ted Donato (Harvard), and Rand Pecknold (Quinnipiac).

Last season, Quinnipiac men’s hockey head coach Rand Pecknold claimed the honor after leading the Bobcats to their second consecutive Cleary Cup win and sixth in a ten year span. Quinnipiac had a 32-win season, reaching the national postseason for the seventh time in ten seasons but ultimately falling in the Allentown Regional Final.

The winner of the ECAC Hockey Tim Taylor Men’s Coach of the Year award will be announced at the ECAC Hockey Awards Reception on Thursday, March 16.

Brent Brekke (St. Lawrence)

In his fourth season behind the bench for the Saints, St. Lawrence men’s hockey head coach Brent Brekke has transformed the program, guiding the team to a winning record of 12-10-0 and a fourth place finish in the league, the second highest during his tenure (the Saints finished third out of four teams competing during the abbreviated 2020-21 season). Overall, the Saints went 17-17-0, finishing with a .500 record for the first time since 2016.

Ted Donato (Harvard)

Donato, in his 19th season at the head of Harvard men’s hockey, has led the Crimson to a 18-4-0 league record and a second place overall finish. Overall, Donato coached Harvard to a 21-6-2 finish, making a historic run to the 70th Men’s Beanpot where the Crimson forced overtime and then a shootout against Northeastern. 

Rand Pecknold (Quinnipiac)

Pecknold has guided the Bobcats to a record-setting 20-2-0 season so far; on February 25, Quinnipiac became the first program to 20 league wins during the regular season, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the 1988-89 season. Overall, Pecknold coached the team to a 28-3-3 record that culminated in their third consecutive Cleary Cup win. Under Pecknold’s guidance, the Bobcats won their first Belpot Trophy at the Friendship Four, along with their second straight CT Ice Tournament title.

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