Motzko named finalist for national coach of the year award

University of Minnesota men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko has been named a finalist for a national coach of the year award.

The Big Ten Coach of the Year was named a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award on Tuesday.

The Austin, Minn. native is in his fourth season at the U of M, and this is his second time as a finalist for the Penrose Award.

If he won, he’d be the second Gophers hockey coach to win the award, joining John Mariucci, who was recognized in 1953.

The award recipient will be announced on April 5.

Minnesota is currently in the Frozen Four as it looks for its sixth national championship.