Who will win the Adams Trophy as the NHL's coach of the year?

Jack Adams Trophy

The Jack Adams Award is presented to the head coach who has contributed the most to his team's success as selected by the members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association.

The NHL Broadcasters' Association presented the award to the NHL in 1974 to honor the late Jack Adams who was the longtime coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.

Former Red Wings winners: Bobby Kromm (1978), Jacques Demers (1987, 1988), Scotty Bowman (1996). Other notable winners: Fred Shero (1974), Don Cherry (1976), Pat Quinn (1980, 1992) Pat Burns (1989, 1993, and 1998 with three separate teams). Recent winners: Lindy Ruff (2006), Alain Vigneault (2007) and Bruce Boudreau (2008)

The finalists for the award this year are: Claude Julien of the Boston Bruins, Todd McLellan of the San Jose Sharks, and Andy Murray of the St. Louis Blues.

Claude Julien, Boston Bruins

Julien coached the Bruins to the top record in the Eastern Conference with a record of 53-19-10 for 116 points. It is the third highest point total in franchise history and a 22-point improvement over the previous season, and 40 points better than just two seasons ago. The Bruins offense ranked second overall scoring 274 goals, 62 goals more than the previous season when they ranked 25th in the league. Also the Bruins recorded their 30th win of the season in just their 41st game, the second fastest start in team history. This is Julien's first nomination.

Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks

McLellan is attempting to become the second rookie coach to win this award in as many years, following Bruce Boudreau of the Washington Capitals. The former Red Wings assistant led the Sharks to the league's best record 53-18-11 and 117 points to capture the Presidents' Trophy. The 53 wins are a Sharks franchise record. The Sharks posted the best record through 30 games in NHL history by going 25-3-2 surpassing the 1929-30 Boston Bruins, and earning McLellan the honor of coaching the Western Conference at the All-Star game in Montreal. The Sharks also went 20-0-2 in their final 22 games on home ice at the HP Pavillion.

Andy Murray, St. Louis Blues

Murray guided the St. Louis Blues to one of the NHL's greatest comebacks in history over the second half of the season. The Blues had the league's best record in the final 41 games (25-9-7) and moved from 15th place in the Western Conference to sixth and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. During their incredible run the Blues were without three key players, defensemen Eric Brewer and Erik Johnson as well as forward Paul Kariya. This is Murray's first nomination for the award.

The winners will be announced on Thursday, June 18 during the 2009 NHL Awards Show from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas and broadcast on Versus in the United States and on CBC in Canada. For more on the Awards please visit: nhl.com