Group Effort

Michael Farber

April 17, 2006

The Coach of the Year award--make that Coaches of the Year--goes to the Rangers' staff. For keeping Jagr happy, Tom Renney (right) could be Psychology Today's top coach as well. He also used third- and fourth-line players effectively and gave structure to a slovenly team. Renney was helped greatly by the NHL's best assistant, Perry Pearn, who had spent eight years on the Senators' staff; Mike Pelino, a sharp mind with a Hockey Canada background; and goalie instructor Beno�t Allaire, who reaches pupils on a technical and human level. That group is a big reason New York ended an eight-season playoff drought.