Cougars General Manager Lamb Awarded Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as WHL Executive of the Year for 2023-24
Published on May 1, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Prince George Cougars General Manager and Head Coach Mark Lamb is the winner of the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as the WHL Executive of the Year for 2023-24.
WHL Executive of the Year Nominees
Central Division - Chad Leslie- Swift Current Broncos
East Division - Jason Ripplinger, Moose Jaw Warriors
U.S. Division - Mike Johnston- Portland Winterhawks
Lamb guided his club to its second B.C. Division title and team-best record of 49-15-1-3 since moving to Prince George ahead of the 1994-95 season.
"I'm proud to receive the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy," Lamb said. "There's a lot of people that put in a lot of hard work to get this. When I look at all our scouts, led by Bob Simmonds, finding the players to put into our lineup. It's been a few years of building this so the acknowledgement that I'm getting, I just want to pass it on to the scouts.
You don't win this without good players. You don't win this without good staff, and I really want to throw a shout-out to our ownership group who has went through some really lean years here and they never wavered once."
Lamb is also the recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year.
The sixth-year Cougars General Manager bolstered the team's scoring depth by trading for forwards Borya Valis and Matteo Danis while bringing in veteran Chase Pauls to strengthen Prince George's defensive depth.
The season also saw prior moves pay big dividends.
Zac Funk, whom Lamb acquired via trade in January of 2023, led the WHL with 67 goals and earned a contract with the Washington Capitals as an undrafted free agent.
Depth WHL draft pick Terik Parascak (2021, 76th overall) broke out as the WHL's rookie scoring leader with 42 goals and 62 assists for 105 points. He's now projected as a top pick ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
In April 2023, Lamb signed undrafted netminder Joshua Ravensbergen to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
The 6-foot-4 netminder was among the best goaltenders in the league in his rookie season, posting a league-high six shutouts.
Lamb is the first General Manager in Cougars franchise history to win the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy.
The Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy is named in memory of Lloyd Saunders, a longtime supporter of junior hockey in Western Canada.
Dubbed the 'Dean' of sportscasters in Western Canada, Saunders covered major events such as the Olympics, the World Series, the Grey Cup, several Briers and six Memorial Cups.
Saunders was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2024 WHL Awards are voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.
Winners of the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy (since 2003)
2023-24 Mark Lamb, Prince George Cougars
2022-23 Bil La Forge, Seattle Thunderbirds
2021-22 Matt Cockell, Winnipeg ICE
2020-21 Not presented due to COVID-19
2019-20 Peter Anholt, Lethbridge Hurricanes
2018-19 Curtis Hunt, Prince Albert Raiders
2017-18 Garry Davidson, Everett Silvertips
2016-17 John Paddock, Regina Pats
2015-16 Peter Anholt, Lethbridge Hurricanes
2014-15 Kelly McCrimmon, Brandon Wheat Kings
2013-14 Cam Hope, Victoria Royals
2012-13 Bob Green, Edmonton Oil Kings
2011-12 Bob Green, Edmonton Oil Kings
2010-11 Lorne Molleken, Saskatoon Blades
2009-10 Kelly McCrimmon, Brandon Wheat Kings
2008-09 Kelly Kisio, Calgary Hitmen
2007-08 Bob Tory, Tri-City Americans
2006-07 Bob Tory, Tri-City Americans
2005-06 Scott Bonner, Vancouver Giants
2004-05 Jeff Chynoweth, Kootenay ICE
2003-04 Kelly Kisio, Calgary Hitmen
2002-03 Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets
Western Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2024
- May 1 - Canes Chatter Presented by Peka Rollshutters - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Game 4 Preview: Cougars at Winterhawks: Western Conference Championship Series - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars Netminder Ravensbergen Named WHL Rookie of the Month for April - Prince George Cougars
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- Špunar Named WHL Goaltender of the Month - Portland Winterhawks
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- Trade Tree: Wheat Kings' Forward Depth Has Roots in Clague Deal - Brandon Wheat Kings
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- Hitmen Hire Cass Bruni as Assistant General Manager - Calgary Hitmen
- Cougars General Manager Lamb Awarded Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as WHL Executive of the Year for 2023-24 - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars General Manager Lamb Awarded Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as WHL Executive of the Year for 2023-24 - WHL
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- Cougars Head Coach Lamb Awarded Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year for 2023-24 - WHL
- Mark Lamb Named WHL's Executive of the Year - Prince George Cougars
- GM & Head Coach Mark Lamb Named WHL Coach of the Year - Prince George Cougars
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