St. Lawrence University head women's hockey coach Chris Wells has been selected by his peers as the American Hockey Coaches Association Division I Coach of the Year.

Wells guided the Saints to a 24-10-4 overall record, the program's first ECAC Hockey tournament title and a bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Saints went on an 18-2-1 stretch from December 1 to March 3, which culminated in a 3-1 win over No. 3 Cornell and the ECAC Hockey title.

"This is certainly a great honor for our staff and team! Everyone is working hard for each other, that in itself is reward enough," said Coach Wells. "There are a number of staffs in the country that did a great job this year. For our peers to recognize St. Lawrence University for this award this season is quite humbling."

Through four seasons behind the Saints' bench, Wells has compiled a record of 80-53-16 and two NCAA appearances. He is a 1992 graduate of St. Lawrence and played four seasons for the men's hockey team under head coach Joe Marsh, helping the team win the 1992 ECAC Championship.

Wells, who is assisted by Ted Wisner and Mare MacDougall, is the second coach in program history to win the AHCA Coach of the Year honor, as Paul Flanagan won the award in 2001. This year's runner-up was Brad Frost of the University of Minnesota.

Coach Wells will receive the award officially at the annual AHCA "Celebration of Women's Hockey" Banquet, help in conjunction with the AHCA Convention in Naples, FL on April 27.