Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dave Barr of the Guelph Storm is the 2005-2006 Matt Leyden Trophy winner as the OHL's Coach of the Year.

Barr, a 46 year old native of Toronto Ontario is a graduate of the Canadian Hockey League and the National Hockey League. In only his second season behind the bench in Guelph, Barr led the Storm to a record of 40-24-1-3, for 84 points. He spearheaded the turn around of a team that won only 23 games and had 57 points the previous season. The 27 point increase from last season that the Storm enjoyed was among the largest improvements in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the OHL Coach of the Year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club. Coaches received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Barr received 65 points in the voting process, followed by Dale Hunter of the London Knights with 44 points and Dick Todd of the Peterborough Petes, with 27 points.

Barr is the Ontario Hockey League nominee for the Brian Kilrea CHL Coach of the Year Award.