KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Former long-time head coach of the Western Michigan hockey program, Bill Wilkinson, has been honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association, receiving the John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award.

The award is named after the famed Boston College coach and is presented to those in the coaching profession that have contributed to the growth and development of hockey in the United States.

"Wilkie," as he is known, is the winningest coach in Bronco hockey history with 313 wins in his 17 seasons at the helm. He led the Broncos to the program's first Central Collegiate Hockey Conference Tournament Championship in 1986 and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth that same season.

In his career with Western Michigan the Broncos made three total NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1994 and 1996. During his tenure several of the Bronco greats passed through Lawson Ice Arena, including Dan Drion, Wayne Gagne, Glenn Healy, Keith Jones, Mike Eastwood and Jamal Mayers.