SALEM – Former Salem State men’s ice hockey head coach Bill O’Neill will receive the 2024 Parker-York Award from the New England Hockey Writers Association at its annual awards reception on April 23. The Parker-York Award, which has been given annually since 1959, recognizes an individual for their contributions to New England hockey. 
Beginning in 1981, O’Neill spent 42-years leading the Salem State men’s ice hockey program. He amassed a 626-436-76 (.583) record during his tenure, completing his career ranked 2nd all-time in total victories in Division III.
O’Neill coached 11 All-Americans, 10 Conference Player of the Year winners and nearly 100 All-New England, All-ECAC East and MASCAC All-Conference team members. He won 23 MASCAC championships during his career, guiding Salem State to five more MASCAC titles after the league reformed after a five-year hiatus in 2008 and three NCAA Tournaments. Overall, Salem State made nine NCAA Tournament and two “Frozen Four” appearances.
Affiliated with the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) from 1985 until 2009, Salem State, under O’Neill’s direction won three ECAC East titles – 1985, 1994 & 1995, culminating in “Frozen Four” appearances in 1992 & 1994. O’Neill’s 1992 team finished third at the NCAA Tournament.
He attended St. John’s Prep in Danvers before accepting an athletic scholarship to attend Boston University, where he was a member of the Terriers’ 1978 men’s ice hockey NCAA national championship team. He spent one season as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in Peabody before beginning his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Norwich.
O’Neill is the second Salem State coach to recognized, joining former head coach Mike Gilligan (1975-1981), who earned the award in 2008.
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