Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien given Jack Adams Award

Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien instructs his players during hockey practice in Wilmington, Mass., Wednesday, April 15, 2009. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Charles Krupa)

LAS VEGAS - A great season for the Boston Bruins has helped earn Claude Julien the Jack Adams Award.

He was named the NHL's coach of the year on Thursday after being selected over San Jose's Todd McLellan and Andy Murray of St. Louis in voting by NHL broadcasters. All three men were nominated for the first time.

Julien guided the Bruins to top spot in the Eastern Conference with 116 points - 22 more than they had the season before.

McLellan's Sharks won the Presidents' Trophy in his first season behind the bench. The team set an NHL record with a 25-3-2 start.

It was also a record-setting season for Murray's Blues, who engineered one of the greatest comebacks in league history by going 25-9-7 down the stretch to earn a playoff spot.