Blazers coach Clouston becomes fifth coach in WHL history to reach 600 wins

Kamloops, B.C. – Kamloops Blazers Head Coach Shaun Clouston is the latest WHL bench boss to reach the 600-win plateau.

The product of Viking, Alta., became only the fifth coach in WHL history to accomplish the feat when his Blazers knocked off the Spokane Chiefs by a 5-4 margin Friday, November 28, at Sandman Centre in Kamloops.

“We got off to a great start, unfortunately we kind of gave the lead back up at the end of the first,” Clouston said following Friday’s milestone victory. “We found a way to get a couple more and defend, block shots, get some saves. We bent, but didn’t break, and so we’ll take it.”

Clouston, who is in his seventh season as Head Coach of the Blazers, joins former Kamloops coach Don Hay (752), Ken Hodge (742), Wenatchee Wild Head Coach Don Nachbaur (723), and Lorne Molleken (626), as the only coaches to surpass the 600-win plateau in WHL history. Knocking on the door is current Red Deer Rebels Head Coach Marc Habscheid (591), while Medicine Hat Tigers Head Coach Willie Desjardins (539) is also on the hunt for 600 wins.

Clouston’s time in the WHL started as a player when he spent three seasons as a member of the Portland Winterhawks (1986-87 to 1988-89), including the final two as captain. Following seven seasons playing pro hockey, Clouston moved behind the bench with his first WHL head coaching duty coming in 2002-03 with the Tri-City Americans. From there, he moved to Medicine Hat, joining the Tigers as an assistant coach in 2003-04. Clouston was promoted to Head Coach of the Tigers in 2010-11, where he spent nine seasons. In 2019-20, he joined the Blazers, where he has been ever since.

On two occasions (2004, 2007), Clouston won a WHL Championship as Associate Coach in Medicine Hat.

As Head Coach, Clouston’s best campaign in Medicine Hat came in 2016-17, when he guided the Tigers to a record of 51-20-1-0 (103 points), fuelled by an impressive campaign from veteran forward Chad Butcher, who recorded 103 points (27G-76A) in 68 games. Under Clouston’s tutelage, the Tigers claimed back-to-back Central Division crowns in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

In Kamloops, Clouston’s best year behind the bench came in 2022-23, when the Blazers went 48-13-4-3 (103 points), representing the Club’s fourth consecutive B.C. Division title. The Blazers advanced to the WHL’s Western Conference Championship Series in 2023, falling to the eventual WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds in six games. Despite coming up short in their pursuit of the Ed Chynoweth Cup, the Blazers served as hosts of the 2023 Memorial Cup, giving them another crack at a title. Though they showed admirably, the Blazers were eliminated following a heartbreaking OT tiebreaker game.

In this his 17th season as a WHL head coach, Clouston has strung together a record of 601-378-73.

In addition to his success behind WHL benches, Clouston has served Canada internationally on numerous occasions, including helping his nation claim gold at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. Most recently, he was an assistant coach for Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.

This season, Clouston and the Blazers find themselves embroiled in a highly competitive B.C. Division, which features 10 points separating first place and fifth place. The first-place Prince George Cougars (17-8-0-0) are on an 8-2-0-0 run, while the Blazers (13-10-2-2) hold down second place, thanks to three consecutive victories. Nipping at their heels are the 2026 Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets (12-8-3-1) and expansion Penticton Vees (11-8-3-3), while the Victoria Royals (11-10-3-1) have collected points in three consecutive contests. The fifth-place Vancouver Giants (11-14-1-1) are winners of back-to-back games.

Next up, Clouston will look to pad his win total further when the Blazers welcome the Vees to Sandman Centre on Friday, December 5 at 7 p.m. PT.

Winningest Coaches, WHL History

1. Don Hay – 752
2. Ken Hodge – 742
3. Don Nachbaur – 723
4. Lorne Molleken – 626
5. Shaun Clouston – 601
6. Marc Habscheid – 591
7. Mike Williamson – 572
8. Ernie McLean – 548
9. Mike Johnston – 543
10. Willie Desjardins – 539

With tonight’s win, Shaun Clouston has reached 600 career wins.

Congrats, Clouey! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/K4UORezPOd

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) November 29, 2025