Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has been named this year’s Jack Adams Trophy winner at the 2017 NHL Awards show on Wednesday. The win is Tortorella’s first since his head coaching days with Tampa Bay back in 2004.
Tortorella led Columbus to their best season in franchise history, with 50 wins and 108 points the best in Blue Jackets’ history since their inception in 2000. The Blue Jackets also had a 16-game winning streak in the 2016-17 season, one-away from the NHL record.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock and Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan also were nominees for the Jack Adams. Babcock led the Maple Leafs to their first playoffs since 2013, as they finished fourth in the Atlantic Division with 95 points. Edmonton made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 under McLellan, and they finished second in the Pacific Division with 103 points.
Tortorella has been a finalist for the Jack Adams four times and has won twice. His last nomination was in 2012 with the New York Rangers.