The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League coach of the year. The award is chosen by fellow OHL general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club. Coaches receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote. Winners of the award are also nominated for the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award for the Canadian Hockey League.
It is named in honour of Matt Leyden, a former president of the Ontario Hockey Association, and long-time general manager of the Oshawa Generals. Leyden established the Generals dynasty that won seven consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cups and three Memorial Cups between 1937 and 1944.
Winners List of winners of the Matt Leyden Trophy. Blue background denotes also named Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award
Season Coach Team1971–72 Gus Bodnar Oshawa Generals1972–73 George Armstrong Toronto Marlboros1973–74 Jack Bownass Kingston Canadians1974–75 Bert Templeton Hamilton Fincups1975–76 Jerry Toppazzini Sudbury Wolves1976–77 Bill Long London Knights1977–78 Bill White Oshawa Generals1978–79 Gary Green Peterborough Petes1979–80 Dave Chambers Toronto Marlboros1980–81 Brian Kilrea Ottawa 67's1981–82 Brian Kilrea Ottawa 67's1982–83 Terry Crisp Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds1983–84 Tom Barrett Kitchener Rangers1984–85 Terry Crisp Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds1985–86 Jacques Martin Guelph Platers1986–87 Paul Theriault Oshawa Generals1987–88 Dick Todd Peterborough Petes1988–89 Joe McDonnell Kitchener Rangers1989–90 Larry Mavety Kingston Frontenacs1990–91 George Burnett Niagara Falls Thunder1991–92 George Burnett Niagara Falls Thunder1992–93 Gary Agnew London Knights1993–94 Bert Templeton North Bay Centennials1994–95 Craig Hartsburg Guelph Storm1995–96 Brian Kilrea Ottawa 67's1996–97 Brian Kilrea Ottawa 67's1997–98 Gary Agnew London Knights1998–99 Peter DeBoer Plymouth Whalers1999–2000 Peter DeBoer Plymouth Whalers2000–01 Dave MacQueen Erie Otters2001–02 Craig Hartsburg Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds2002–03 Brian Kilrea Ottawa 67's2003–04 Dale Hunter London Knights2004–05 Dale Hunter London Knights2005–06 Dave Barr Guelph Storm2006–07 Mike Vellucci Plymouth Whalers2007–08 Bob Boughner Windsor Spitfires2008–09 Bob Boughner Windsor Spitfires2009–10 Dale Hunter London Knights2010–11 Mark Reeds Owen Sound Attack2011–12 Greg Gilbert Saginaw Spirit2012–13 Mike Vellucci Plymouth Whalers2013–14 D.J. Smith Oshawa Generals2014–15 Sheldon Keefe Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds2015–16 Kris Knoblauch Erie Otters2016–17 Ryan McGill Owen Sound Attack2017–18 Drew Bannister Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds2018–19 André Tourigny Ottawa 67's2019–20 André Tourigny Ottawa 67's2020–21 Not awarded, season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2021–22 James Richmond Mississauga Steelheads2022–23 Dave Cameron Ottawa 67's2023–24 Derek Laxdal Oshawa Generals2024–25 Jussi Ahokas Kitchener Rangers2025–26 Dave Cameron Ottawa 67's
See also Ron Lapointe Trophy – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy – Western Hockey League Coach of the Year List of Canadian Hockey League awards
References
External links Ontario Hockey League