PHILADELPHIA - Don Maloney is being rewarded for guiding the Phoenix Coyotes to the most successful regular season in franchise history.
He was named the winner of the NHL general manager of the year award Wednesday.
Maloney's biggest move was hiring head coach Dave Tippett, who guided the Coyotes to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Phoenix posted a 50-27-5 record for 107 points and set franchise records for wins and points in a season.
Maloney helped steer the Coyotes through an uncertain and turbulent off-season. He also added several players to the team's roster, including Radim Vrbata, Jim Vandermeer, Adrian Aucoin, Taylor Pyatt and Robert Lang.
At the trade deadline, Maloney acquired Lee Stempniak, Wojtek Wolski, Petteri Nokelainen, Derek Morris and Mathieu Schneider. The Coyotes went on to finish fourth in the Western Conference before losing to Detroit in the first round of the post-season.
Maloney accepted the award at the annual GMs meeting at the Stanley Cup final. George McPhee of the Washington Capitals and David Poile of the Nashville Predators were also considered for the honour.
Maloney, 51, joined the Coyotes in May 2007 following 10 years in the front office of the New York Rangers.
Voting for the new award was conducted among the 30 club general managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media at the end of the regular season.
