BC’s York, 76, retires as NCAA’s winningest coach

Boston College’s Jerry York, the winningest coach in NCAA men’s hockey history, has announced his retirement.

York, 76, met with his coaches and players Wednesday and informed them he was stepping down. He coached 28 years with the Eagles, winning the NCAA men’s hockey championship four times (2001, 2008, 2010, 2012). Prior to that, York was the coach at Clarkson from 1972 to ’79 and Bowling Green (1979-94), where he won his first championship in 1984. York stated that he had been contemplating the possibility of retiring over the past few weeks and that it seemed the right time. “I am so blessed to have been involved with Boston College these past 28 years and to have had the opportunity to coach so many wonderful student-athletes. “

York has produced many NHL players over the years. Former Eagles standout Chris Kreider, now with the New York Rangers, just became the fourth player in franchise history to score 50 goals. Former BC forward Brian Boyle also played for the Rangers among several NHL stops, and now is a fourth-line forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

” The best thing he did for us was to set a standard for how we should behave as men. We learned quickly the right way to do things even if we weren’t ready to be men. Boyle explained to ESPN that if you didn’t do what was expected, a teammate would make you aware. That’s how Boyle’s culture developed.

” He loved going to the rink. He loved Boston College and the game. I am so grateful that I was able spend four years with Coach York. “

York was one of three NCAA coaches to win the men’s championship at two schools. On Dec. 29, 2012, he passed Michigan State’s Ron Mason in all-time college hockey wins. He finishes his career with 1,123 wins, including a record 41 in NCAA tournament play. He was named Hockey East coach of the year five times and won NCAA Division I Coach of the Year in 1977. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020.

” “It is hard to put into words how Jerry York means to Boston College,” Patrick Kraft, athletic director, said in the statement. “He is a legend, and one of the most classiest individuals to have ever coached college sports. “

York’s decision means that both Boston College (and rival Boston University) are without coaches. The Terriers parted ways in March with Albie O’Connell, who had been with them for four seasons.