Jerry York sets all-time NCAA hockey wins record
Early in December, Boston College’s men’s hockey coach, Jerry York, tied Ron Mason‘s all-time wins record in NCAA hockey. On Saturday night, he surpassed it. At a record of 925-558-95 in his 41 seasons of coaching at BC, Bowling Green State, and Clarkson, York is now NCAA hockey’s all-time wins record holder.
York had tied Mason’s record on Dec. 1 at 924 wins. The Eagles attempted to win it for York on Dec. 7 against fellow Hockey East team Providence College, but tied 3-3 in overtime. They got their second shot at giving York the record on Dec. 29 at the Mariucci Classic at the University of Minnesota. The Eagles beat the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers 5-2 in a decisive win.
When the game was over, and another tally added to the wins column, an announcement was made over the loudspeaker at the Mariucci Arena. Since the game took place in Minnesota, there weren’t many BC fans present, but the fans in attendance still applauded York for his accomplishment. York stayed modest when asked by reporters what the honor meant to him, saying it’s more about the team and winning another national championship.
“Our focus is on our team,” he said. “We have a chance to win a trophy. We’re focused squarely on our team.”
He added that he would like keep on coaching after this season is over.
“I feel good. I feel healthy. I enjoy what I do, as long as BC feels as though I’m doing a good job, I’ll keep on moving,” York said.
BC headed into the 2012-2013 season as the defending national champions with a No. 1 ranking. Throughout the season, they have defended that rank, maintaining their position as the top team in college hockey with a 12-2-1 overall record.
The 67-year-old York, who attended BC and played for the hockey team in college, was born and raised in Watertown. As a coach, he has five national championships under his belt: one with Bowling Green State in 1984, and four with the Eagles, in 2001, 2008, 2010, and 2012. In 1972, he became the head coach at Clarkson University and held that position for seven years before heading on to Bowling Green, where he took over for Mason. He coached for Bowling Green from 1979 to 1994 before taking over the head coaching position at his alma mater.
According to BC’s athletics website, the school will honor York with “Jerry York Night” on Jan. 18, a home game against University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
