This award goes to the head coach who is considered to have demonstrated the highest number of significant accomplishments over the course of the season as voted by the conference's head coaches.

In 2008-09, UNH’s Brian McCloskey was tabbed the Coach of the Year for the fourth time in league history. McCloskey helped the No. 5 ranked Wildcats to their sixth regular-season title with a 22-5-5 record with only a roster of 16 healthy players. He led the team to its seventh straight 20-win season and is looking for the teams fourth straight WHEA Tournament title.

This honor is awarded by the head coaches to a player from those nominated for consideration, which was renamed the Cammi Granato Player of the Year Award in the fall of 2008. The player receiving this recognition has demonstrated superior play and leadership for her team.

Granato had a legendary four-year career at Providence College, establishing many scoring records for the Friars (139 goals in 99 games). Granato also took home individual honors in all four seasons in her career with Providence. She captured ECAC Player of the Year honors in three consecutive years from 1991-93, while leading the team to back-to-back conference titles in 1992 and 1993. Granato was also named ECAC Rookie of the Year in 1990. A 15-year member of the U.S. Women’s National Team beginning in 1990, Granato is the program’s all-time scoring leader. Granato achieved international fame by captaining Team USA to the gold medal at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.

In 2008-09, junior forward Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio) from Boston College was named the recipient of the Cammi Granato Award/TPS Hockey Player of the Year for the second time in her career. Stack, who was named the Player of the Year in 2007, as a freshman, notched 36 points (15g,21a) in league play to lead the conference and her 54 points overall leads the Eagles’ squad. Her 1.69 points per game ranks 10th in the nation among Division I players. She was also named TPS Hockey Player of the Month in October and November. Stack recorded at least one point in 28 of 33 contests and she scored multiple points in 16 games for BC.

This award is also voted by the head coaches and is given to the first-year player who has shown skill, ability and leadership beyond that expected of a player in her rookie year. BAUER is the presenting sponsor.

In 2008-09, Providence College freshman goaltender Genevieve Lacasse (Scarborough, Ont.) was named Mission Rookie of the Year. Lacasse started 27 of 35 games for the Friars in her first season on campus and recorded a 15-10-1 record with a 1.90 GAA, a .935 save percentage and six shutouts.