The winner is selected by a poll of the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association at the end of the regular season.
The award is named in honour of Jack Adams, Hall of Fame player for the Toronto Arenas/St.
Patricks, Vancouver Millionaires and original Ottawa Senators, and long-time Coach and General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
Five coaches have won the award with two teams: Jacques Lemaire, Pat Quinn, Scotty Bowman, Barry Trotz, and John Tortorella have won the award twice, while Pat Burns is the only coach to win three times.
The closest vote occurred in 2006, when the winner Lindy Ruff edged out Peter Laviolette by a single point.