PORTLAND – The American Hockey League announced today that Kevin Dineen of the Portland Pirates has been named the winner of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach for the 2005-06 season, as voted by members of the media in each of the league’s 27 cities.

In his first season coaching at any level, Dineen has guided Portland (48-18-5-3) to the brink of its first-ever division title, occupying first place in the Atlantic Division since Dec. 10. With six games remaining, the team’s 104 points are tied for the most by a Portland team in the city’s 28-year history of hosting AHL hockey. The Pirates rank second in the league in offence, averaging 3.8 goals per game, and also boast six players among the top 20 in plus/minus rating. This season with Dineen at the helm, the Pirates have already set a new franchise record for wins in a season (47), road wins in a season (24) and have already secured home ice for the first round of the 2006 Calder Cup Playoffs.

“My first reaction is to thank everyone around me. I was setup for success by the Mighty Ducks of Aneheim with two great assistant coaches, not many have that, and this award is a testament to our players and entire coaching staff,” said Dineen.