Don Hay will be leaving his coaching job with the Vancouver Giants to return home to Kamloops where he will coach the Blazers next season.
Image Credit: Vancouver Giants
May 02, 2014 - 7:22 AM
KAMLOOPS — The Vancouver Giants announced today that Don Hay will return to his hometown to coach the Kamloops Blazers.
"Blazers' Owner Tom Gaglardi contacted me last week and asked for permission to speak with Don," said Giants Majority Owner Ron Toigo. "I'm sure Don is looking forward to moving home and spending more time with his family and enjoying the time with his grandkids. I can't say how much we appreciate what Don has done and what he has meant to the Vancouver Giants Franchise."
The Kamloops native joined the Giants in the 2004-05 season and was with the Giants for 10 seasons. Hay became the third coach to reach a milestone 600-career regular season WHL wins this past season.
"I'd like to thank Ron Toigo and the ownership group of the Vancouver Giants for giving me the opportunity to be the Head Coach in Vancouver for 10 great years," said Hay. "I've really enjoyed my time in Vancouver and it's hard to leave the team. I'd also like to thank everyone in the organization that helped us have success along the way - assistant coaches, trainers, and most importantly the players. And last but not least, I'd like to thank all the Vancouver fans for their support through the years."
From 1986-1995 he coached the Blazers, first as assistant and then head coach and then went on to coach in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, the Phoenix Coyotes and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. He also coached in the American Hockey League for several years.
In his 10 seasons with the Giants, Hay coached the team to a 401-252-26-37 record. He guided the Giants to win five straight B.C. Division titles (2006 to 2010), and to appearances at the Western Conference Finals in four of five seasons, and two straight WHL league Finals (2006 and 2007). Under his leadership, the Giants won the WHL Championship in 2006 and the Memorial Cup in 2007.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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