WHL Western Hockey League

Cougars Head Coach Lamb Awarded Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year for 2023-24

Published on May 1, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Prince George Cougars General Manager and Head Coach Mark Lamb is the recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season.

Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Finalists

Central Division - Willie Desjardins - Medicine Hat Tigers

East Division - Brennan Sonne - Saskatoon Blades

U.S. Division - Mike Johnston - Portland Winterhawks

In his fifth season behind the Cougars' bench, Lamb led the team to a 49-15-1-3 campaign, marking the franchise's best season since moving to Prince George ahead of the 1994-95 season.

"I'm very honored to receive the Dunc McCallum Coach of the Year Award," Lamb said. "It's totally a team award. It just means that you have a really good team, a lot of good players and you have a great coaching staff. With the addition of Jim Playfair and Carter Rigby, Taylor Dakers, our goalie coach, we have a really, really tight group and they all have a lot to say."

Prince George closed out the regular season as the second-highest scoring team in the league, netting 316 goals, while allowing the second-fewest goals against (187).

The Cougars also ranked second in powerplay efficiency (30.1 percent) and penalty kill (84.3 percent).

Three of Lamb's players, Zac Funk (Washington Capitals), Riley Heidt (Minnesota Wild) and Rookie of the Year nominee Terik Parascak (2024 NHL Draft-eligible) broke the 100-point mark, with Funk leading all WHL skaters with 67 goals and earning a contract with the Washington Capitals.

Prince George was also the league's strongest road team, going 24-8-0-2 in opponent's arenas.

Lamb is the first Prince George Cougars coach to win the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy.

The Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy honours the memory of Dunc McCallum, who was named WHL Coach of the Year twice while turning the Brandon Wheat Kings into a formidable powerhouse of the 1970s, culminating in a WHL Championship win and Memorial Cup Final appearance in 1979.

From 1976-1981, McCallum amassed an impressive regular season record of 251-123-41 behind the Brandon bench.

The WHL Coach of the Year Award is voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.

Winners of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (since 2003)

2023-24 Mark Lamb, Prince George Cougars

2022-23 Brennan Sonne, Saskatoon Blades

2021-22 James Patrick, Winnipeg ICE

2020-21 Not presented due to COVID-19

2019-20 Brad Lauer, Edmonton Oil Kings

2018-19 Marc Habscheid, Prince Albert Raiders

2017-18 Manny Viveiros, Swift Current Broncos

2016-17 John Paddock, Regina Pats

2015-16 Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals

2014-15 John Paddock, Regina Pats

2013-14 Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals

2012-13 Ryan McGill, Kootenay ICE

2011-12 Jim Hiller, Tri-City Americans*

2010-11 Don Nachbaur, Spokane Chiefs

2009-10 Mark Holick, Kootenay ICE

2008-09 Don Hay, Vancouver Giants

2007-08 Don Nachbaur, Tri-City Americans

2006-07 Cory Clouston, Kootenay ICE

2005-06 Will Desjardins, Medicine Hat Tigers*

2004-05 Cory Clouston, Kootenay ICE*

2003-04 Kevin Constantine, Everett Silvertips

2002-03 Marc Habscheid, Kelowna Rockets*

* - Denotes Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year

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