Wild coach Evason named finalist for Jack Adams Award

Minnesota Wild head coach Dean Evason has been named a finalist for the NHL’s 2020-21 Jack Adams Award.

The award is given each year to the coach deemed to have contributed the most to his team’s success, as voted on by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.

In his first full season as the team’s head coach, Evason, 56, led the Wild to a 35-16-5 record, totaling the second-most wins and team points through 56 games in franchise history.

Evason is the second Jack Adams Award finalist in franchise history, joining 2003 winner Jacques Lemaire. He’d be the 12th coach since the award was first presented in 1973-74 to win the award in his first NHL season as a head coach.

The two other finalists are Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour and Florida coach Joel Quenneville.

The winner will be announced during the Stanley Cup semifinals and final, with the exact timing to be announced at a later date.