Friday, October 1, 2010
York and Parker to Receive Lester Patrick Trophy
On Wednesday October 27th two of college hockey’s greatest ambassadors will no longer be on opposite ends of Commonwealth Ave in Boston but rather will be standing together at TD Garden as recipients of the Lester Patrick Trophy honoring their contributions to American hockey. Boston University’s Jack Parker and Boston College’s Jerry York, for the first time ever, will share a trophy.
Parker and York, growing up neighboring towns just five miles apart, have been on opposite benches of some of the great American high school and college hockey rivalries for their entire playing and coaching careers. Parker, born in 1945 in Somerville, MA attended Catholic Memorial High School and then went on to star for Boston University from 1965-68. York, born in 1945 in Watertown, MA, attended Boston College High School and then spent four years playing for Boston College graduating in 1967. They have a combined 77 years behind the bench and it is what York and Parker have done in that time that truly sets them apart from all of their peers.
Parker, entering his 38th season at Boston University, has a laundry list of accomplishments that are nothing short of spectacular. Under Parker, BU has won 834 games, placing him third on the all-time wins list but first in victories recorded with one team. He has been named the NCAA Coach of the Year on three occasions, won three national titles, the most recent of which was in 2009, has coached two Hobey Baker winners, and has numerous former players that now skate amongst hockey’s elite in the NHL.
York enters his 39th season as a Division I head coach. His career began in 1972 as the head coach of the Clarkson Golden Knights. Coach York spent seven seasons in Potsdam, NY before moving onto Bowling Green State University where he ran the program for 15 years including the 1984 season when he won his first NCAA Championship. York returned to his alma mater in 1994 and during those sixteen years Boston College has reached the Frozen Four nine times, winning the NCAA championship on three occasions. His 850 career victories ranks second all-time.
The Lester Patrick Award is presented by the NHL and USA Hockey to honor the recipient’s contribution to hockey in the United States and it is only fitting that Coach Parker and Coach York stand together in accepting this award joining the likes of Ted Lindsay, Brian Leetch, Stan Fischler, Red Berenson, Ray Bourque, Scotty Bowman, and Mario Lemieux. Parker and York truly stand as giants in the world of college hockey and while they reign over college hockey’s greatest rivalry, they share in their dedication and commitment to teaching and guiding young hockey players to become great athletes and, great men.