Rick Comley to receive prestigious John MacInnes Award from coaches’ association

Comley (right) with his family after MSU's national title in 2007.
Comley (right) with his family after MSU’s national title in 2007 (photo from the MiHockey archives)

 

By @MichaelCaples –

Former Lake Superior State, Northern Michigan and Michigan State head coach Rick Comley will be honored by the American Hockey Coaches’ Association for his dedication to the game at the organization’s annual convention in April, the AHCA announced today.

Comley will receive the prestigious John MacInnes Award, which is presented to someone who demonstrates a great ability to help his or her players succeed on and off the ice.

From the AHCA release:

THE JOHN MACINNES AWARD:Established by the AHCA in 1982 to honor former Michigan Tech coach, John MacInnes, this award recognizes those people who have shown a great concern for amateur hockey and youth programs. The recipients have had high winning percentages, as well as outstanding graduating percentages among their former players. The winners of this award have helped young men grow not only as hockey players, but more importantly, as men.

Comley won 783 games at the three Michigan-based institutions during his 38-year career behind the bench. He is one of only two NCAA coaches to win national titles at two different schools, and he ranks fifth all-time in career victories.

He retired with a career record of 783-615-110.

Comley’s coaching career began at his alma mater of Lake Superior State, when he took over for his former coach in Ron Mason. In three years with the Lakers, he compiled a 59-49-3 record and won an NAIA national championship.

From there, Comley moved to Northern Michigan, launching the hockey program and building it for 26 seasons and 538 total victories. Comley led the Wildcats to the national title in 1991.

He took over for Mason once again at Michigan State in 2002 when Mason retired from coaching, and he won 186 games in East Lansing, including the 2007 national title.

Comley has worked as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks since retiring from coaching in 2011.