Guerin, Weight headline 2013 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class

By Joe YerdonJul 25, 2013, 9:17 AM EDT

This year’s U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class is a doozy.

Headlining this year’s group to be honored are former NHL stars Bill Guerin and Doug Weight. Both are Stanley Cup winners (Guerin twice, Weight once) and each played in three Olympics for Team USA. Overall, Weight represented America at nine international events while Guerin did so at seven.

Both players were also college hockey stars as well with Guerin playing at Boston College and Weight for Lake Superior State.

This year’s other inductees are nothing to sneeze at either. Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr., legendary college hockey coach Ron Mason, and women’s hockey pioneer Cindy Curley round out the class.

Karmanos’ legacy as an owner isn’t one that’s well-remembered in Hartford after uprooting the Whalers, but after 50+ years of building hockey at all levels in the United States he’s more than earned the honor.

Mason finished his coaching career with 924 wins, a mark that was tops in college hockey until BC’s Jerry York surpassed that mark this past season. His legacy as a coach at Michigan State, Bowling Green, and Lake Superior State makes him a legend amongst coaches.

Curley’s work to establish women’s hockey in the United States cannot be stated enough. She was a member of the first IIHF Women’s World Championship team in 1990 and represented the U.S. in numerous tournaments to follow that. As a pioneer of the game for women in America, it’s about time she was recognized for her work.

Boston College’s Jerry York sets new NCAA coaching wins record

By James O'BrienDec 29, 2012, 9:40 PM EDT

2 Comments

Boston College head coach Jerry York broke the NCAA’s ice hockey wins record with his 925th victory on Saturday after BC’s topped Alabama-Huntsville 5-2, as the Minnesota Tribune’s Michael Russo reports.

He broke a tie with former Michigan State head coach Ron Mason to take the record. That win pushed first-ranked BC’s record to 12-2-1 this season, while York’s overall coaching record is 925-559-95.

York did his best to be humble about the impressive achievement.

“Coaches coach. We play to win trophies. Despite all the hoopla, it never really entered my mind,” York said. “We always talk in our program, there’s no personal goals. We’re not trying to become Hobey Baker [winners] and All-Americans.”

“Golfers, they want to win a Masters … It’s not what we’re about with the Eagles. I’ve always been about the team. I haven’t really sought individual goals.”

York’s teams have managed to hit some serious collective goals, as well. His teams won five national championships overall, with four of them coming during his time with BC.

(He also coached at Clarkson and Bowling Green.)

Considering the fact that he’s been a head coach since 1972, it’s natural to wonder if he’s near the end, yet York seems content to continue coaching.

“I feel good, I feel healthy, I enjoy what I do,” York said. “As long as BC feels I’ve done a good job, I’ll keep on moving.”

Boston College’s Jerry York ties all-time NCAA wins record

By Joe YerdonDec 2, 2012, 11:33 AM EDT

Boston College’s Jerry York is one win away from cementing his legendary status as college hockey’s winningest head coach.

After seeing his Eagles earn a 5-2 win over crosstown rival Boston University, York tied legendary Michigan State coach Ron Mason with his 924th career victory. CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty was there to witness it and it was his rival, BU coach Jack Parker, who had the nicest things to say about him.

“He deserves all of the accolades. It’s hard for people to believe this because he’s been so successful and because he’s won so many games, but I still don’t think he gets the credit he deserves.”

In his career with Clarkson, Bowling Green, and Boston College, he’s coached five national championship teams. Four of those have come at BC and all within the last 12 years (2001, 2008, 2010, 2012). He also led the 1984 Bowling Green Falcons to their lone national championship in hockey.

York will have the chance to break Mason’s record on Friday night at Providence College. If that fails, December 29 against Alabama-Huntsville in the Mariucci Classic in Minnesota would be his next opportunity.