Las Vegas – In a nearly unanimous vote, Phoenix Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett won the Jack Adams Trophy tonight at the 2010 NHL Awards at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. Coyotes already fans know what a tremendous story team had this season. However, when looking at the final results of the voting, (below) Dave Tippett winning the Jack Adams is not just an amazing feat. This is a tremendous accomplishment and special moment in the history of the Phoenix Coyotes as Tippett received all but two of the first place votes for the award. (The Jack Adams Trophy is voted on by the members of the North American NHL media.)

When it comes to individual awards such as the Jack Adams, some people would think that the Coyotes successes this season were all because of Dave Tippett. However, don’t expect Coach Tippett won’t take full credit for winning the Jack Adams because he looks at the award “as a coaching staff award for our staff to get recognized.”

It takes more than just one head coach to run an NHL team. Shane Doan recalled after winning the King Clancy Trophy “Ulf Samuelsson did a tremendous job preparing us to go into training camp. Without that, it might have been a hard transition.”

So when did everything start clicking with the team?

According to Tippett, in the second game of the season when they shut out the Penguins on their home ice “in that game, I know the players were looking at each other going we can do this.” From that moment on, the Coyotes showed that they not only believed in the system that Tippett has put into place but in themselves.

If there’s one thing that the Phoenix Coyotes seemed to have stressed during the NHL Awards media availability is that they have finally completed the first stage build of a solid foundation as well as a winning tradition. After many years, this is a very positive sign for not only the team but for the die hard fans who have stuck with the team through thick and thin.

Speaking of Coyotes fans, when I asked Coach Tippett if he had a message for Coyotes fans back in Phoenix he said this:

“Just that we’re going to continue to improve, continue to try to push forward with what we started last year, and we hope to have a lot more fun next year. ”

I pretty sure that I can speak for Coyotes fans in that they are indeed looking forward to next season.

2009-2010 Jack Adams Award Voting

Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd)
1. Dave Tippett, PHX 291 (57-2-0)
2. Barry Trotz, NSH 60 (0-17-9)
3. Joe Sacco, COL 51 (0-14-9)
4. Mike Babcock, DET 38 (2-7-7)
5. Terry Murray, L.A. 26 (0-5-11)
6. Cory Clouston, OTT 21 (0-6-3)
7. Lindy Ruff, BUF 13 (0-2-7)
8. Joel Quenneville, CHI 10 (0-2-4)
9. Alain Vigneault, VAN 7 (0-2-1)
10. Bruce Boudreau, WSH 7 (0-1-4)
11. Jacques Lemaire, N.J. 4 (0-1-1)
12. Dan Bylsma, PIT 1 (0-0-1)
Claude Julien, BOS 1 (0-0-1)
Paul Maurice, CAR 1 (0-0-1)