VEGAS (April 1, 2026) – George McPhee, the former Hobey Baker Award recipient out of Bowling Green State University and currently the President of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights, is the recipient of the 2026 Lou Lamoriello Award, as announced today by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The Lamoriello Award is given to a former college coach or player who has distinguished himself in his profession after college. It is named after the former Providence College player, coach, athletic director and NHL executive, Lou Lamoriello.
“I am honored beyond words to accept the Lou Lamoriello Award as the Frozen Four prepares to arrive here in Vegas,” said McPhee. “Lou is among the very best hockey minds and human beings to grace college hockey and the National Hockey League. Lou’s impact on these institutions as well as the lives of thousands who have worked for him and competed against him is extraordinary.”
The award will be presented at a luncheon on Friday, April 10, during this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted by the University of North Dakota. The award luncheon will be held at the Park MGM Hotel on Friday, April 10.
“George is widely respected throughout hockey and has consistently made a positive impact during his career,” said AHCA Executive Director Forrest Karr. ”His many contributions to the sport make him a natural choice for the Lou Lamoriello Award and we look forward to presenting this well-deserved recognition during Frozen Four weekend.”
McPhee became the inaugural President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Golden Knights in 2016. In 2019, he remained President while promoting Kelly McCrimmon to General Manager. McPhee earned his name on the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career after the Golden Knights topped the Florida Panthers during the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. It was the second time that Vegas had reached the Cup Final in just six years under McPhee’s leadership.
McPhee helped lead Vegas to a historic inaugural season, winning the Pacific Division and becoming the first modern expansion team in major North American sports to finish first in its division. He earned NHL General Manager of the Year in 2018, his first win after being a finalist in 2009-10 with the Washington Capitals.
Before Vegas, McPhee was a Special Advisor with the New York Islanders in 2015. Prior to his time with the Islanders, McPhee served as Vice President and General Manager of the Capitals for 17 seasons. Earlier, McPhee held executive roles with the Vancouver Canucks, contributing to multiple playoff runs and a 1994 Stanley Cup Final appearance.
As a player, McPhee starred at Bowling Green State University, winning the Hobey Baker Award in 1982, and later played in the NHL with the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. He earned a law degree from Rutgers University in 1992.
THE LOU LAMORIELLO AWARD
The Lamoriello Award was created by the Retired Coaches group within the AHCA to honor a former college coach or player who has distinguished himself in his profession after college. It is named after the former Providence College player, coach, athletic director and NHL executive, Lou Lamoriello.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
YEAR - NAME - INSTITUTION - CAREER
2004 - Lou Lamoriello - Providence - Athletics
2005 - Tom “Red” Martin - Boston College - Communications, Philanthropy
2006 - John Mayasich - Minnesota - Communications
2007 - Dave Metzen - Minnesota - Education
2008 - Tom Coakley - Brown - Military Service
2009 - Laing Kennedy - Cornell - Athletic Administration
2010 - Dr. Michael Collins - Notre Dame - Medicine
2011-13 - Not Awarded
2014 - Joe Battista - Penn State - Coaching, Athletic Development
2015 - Bob White - Bowdoin College - Business
2016 - General Mark Milley - Princeton - Military Service
2017 - Richmond “Chip” Kenyon - Middlebury College - Business
2018 - Justin Kaufenberg - UW-Eau Claire - Business
2019 - John “Jocko” McLennan - Clarkson University - Business
2020 - Ross Childs - Michigan - Government
2021-23 - Not Awarded
2024 - Bennett Morgan - St. John’s - Business
2025 - Chris Zimmerman - Vermont - Hockey (Bauer, St. Louis Blues)
ABOUT THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. Established by Owner and Chairman Bill Foley and his family, the Golden Knights were the most successful expansion franchise in North American professional sports history in 2017-18 and won the Stanley Cup in 2022-23. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights visit vegasgoldenknights.com and follow the team on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
