TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League named Sheldon Keefe of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is its coach of the year Friday.

Keefe, in his third season with the Greyhounds, led them to a league-best 54-12-0-2 record and second straight West Division crown. The club's .809 winning percentage and 342 goals scored both led the Canadian Hockey League.

Keefe led the award voting with 55 points, nine ahead of Jeff Brown of the Ottawa 67's. D.J Smith of the Oshawa Generals, last year's recipient, was third with 38 points.

"I owe an incredible amount of gratitude to our former general manager Kyle Dubas, our president Dr. Lou Lukenda, our board of directors and general manger Kyle Raftis for believing in me and providing the opportunity to coach in the best junior hockey league in the world," said Keefe. "Coaching in general would not be possible for me without the continued support and understanding of my wife Jackie and our two sons Landon and Wyatt."

Keefe, 34, will formally receive the award June 9 and be the OHL's nominee for Canadian Hockey League coach of the year.