South Carolina's Bergin receives John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year

The ECHL on Tuesday announced that Steve Bergin of the South Carolina Stingrays is the 2019-20 recipient of the John Brophy Award as the league’s Coach of the Year.

The John Brophy Award is the trophy presented annually to the ECHL coach selected to have contributed the most to his team’s success as selected in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members. The trophy is named for John Brophy, who won a record three ECHL titles with Hampton Roads in 1991, 1992 and 1998, and was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009.

Steve Martinson of Allen finished second in the voting, followed by Florida’ Brad Ralph, Kirk MacDonald of Reading and Newfoundland’s John Snowden.

The winner of the Defenseman of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday.

In his first season as a head coach, Bergin led South Carolina to a 44-14-4 record, including a 25-5-4 record on the road. The 25 road wins are tied for the second most in a single season in ECHL history. Bergin also served as a coach at the 2020 Warrior Hockey/ECHL All-Star Classic in Wichita, leading the Eastern Conference to the event’s title.

Bergin was named the ninth head coach in Stingrays’ history on April 26, 2019 after serving as the club’s assistant coach for the previous three seasons. He was part of the Stingrays’ Kelly Cup Finals appearance in 2017 and helped the team to their best regular season in club history the following year. Before starting his coaching career, Bergin spent five seasons as a defenseman with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League from 2011-16. He led Pensacola to three SPHL titles in 2013, 2014 and 2016 as well as a regular-season championship during the 2013-14 season.

John Brophy Award Winners (ECHL Coach of the Year)

2019-20    Steve Bergin, South Carolina Stingrays2018-19    Matt Thomas, Cincinnati Cyclones2017-18     Brad Ralph, Florida Everblades2016-17    Dan Watson, Toledo Walleye2015-16    Richard Matvichuk, Missouri Mavericks2014-15    Derek Lalonde, Toledo Walleye2013-14    Spencer Carbery, South Carolina Stingrays2012-13    Jarrod Skalde, Cincinnati Cyclones2011-12    Rob Murray, Alaska Aces and John Wroblewski, Gwinnett Gladiators2010-11    Brent Thompson, Alaska Aces2009-10    Derek Laxdal, Idaho Steelheads2008-09    Rick Kowalsky, Trenton Devils2007-08    Chuck Weber, Cincinnati Cyclones2006-07    Davis Payne, Alaska Aces2005-06    Glen Gulutzan, Las Vegas Wranglers2004-05    Nick Vitucci, Toledo Storm2003-04    Pat Bingham, Wheeling Nailers2002-03    Claude Noel, Toledo Storm2001-02    Dave Farrish, Louisiana Ice Gators2000-01    Troy Ward, Trenton Titans1999-00    Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades1998-99    Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades1997-98    Chris Nilan, Chesapeake IceBreakers1996-97    Brian McCutcheon, Columbus Chill1995-96    Roy Sommer, Richmond Renegades1994-95    Jim Playfair, Dayton Bombers1993-94    Barry Smith, Knoxville Cherokees1992-93    Kurt Kleinendorst, Raleigh IceCaps1991-92    Doug Sauter, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds1990-91    Don Jackson, Knoxville Cherokees1989-90    Dave Allison, Virginia Lancers1988-89    Ron Hansis, Erie Panthers