Ohio State men’s hockey coach Steve Rohlik is a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award. The honor is awarded annually to the top coach in D-I. This is the second consecutive nomination for the Buckeye boss. Rohlik was the runner up to Notre Dame’s Jeff Jackson in 2018.
Fans are somewhat divided in whether they consider this season a successful one. But Rohlik has been firm in his pride at the accomplishments of his 2018-19 Buckeyes. They posted a third straight 20+ win season, a third straight NCAA tournament appearance and won the program’s first ever regular season Big Ten championship. It was only the second conference title of any kind in program history and the Bucks’ first since 1972.
Rohlik and his staff laid the foundations for this success years ago with their terrific ability to identify and develop talent. Need an example? Look no further than the end-of-season honors. Big Ten Player of the Year and Hobey Baker finalist Mason Jobst, B1G Goalie of the Year and Mike Richter Award semifinalist Tommy Nappier, B1G Defensive Player of the Year Sasha Larocque, even All-Rookie Team member Gustaf Westlund, none of these players entered college with the slightest bit of hype. All became top contributors.
The reigning two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, Rohlik is 113-84-28 in six seasons as head coach at Ohio State.
