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Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Regina Pats Coach John Paddock Named WHL Coach Of The Year



The Regina Pats Senior VP of Hockey Operations and Head Coach John Paddock is the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Award winner as the WHL’s Coach of the Year.  The announcement was made during the Western Hockey League’s annual awards luncheon earlier today in Calgary, AB.  Paddock was up against the Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Dan Lambert.
“Winning this is very humbling with all of the fine coaches in the league, and the fact this is voted on by my peers,” said Pats Head Coach John Paddock.  “A special thank you to all of the staff, I would not be here without their support.  I also want to thank our ownership group who provided me this opportunity.” 
Coach Paddock is the third Pats coach to be named Coach of the Year since the award’s inception in 1969.  The previous Pats winners were Bob Lowes (2001-02) and Earl Ingarfield (1971-72).  Lowes went on to be named the CHL Coach of the Year.
The Oak River, MB native was hired by the team August 6, 2014 and guided the Pats to a 37-24-5-6 record.  The 2014-15 regular season was Paddock’s first in junior hockey since he played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1973-74.
“This is a great honour for John and we could not be more proud of not only the on-ice success, but also John’s impact on our players,” said Pats President Todd Lumbard.  “His attitude and philosophy is not just about developing talented hockey players, but leaders off the ice.”

Pats defenceman Colby Williams was also honoured at the luncheon as an Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star.  The Regina native led Pats blue-liners with 41 points (11G, 30A) and finished second in the WHL with a +45 plus/minus rating.  Williams was originally named an all-star March 24, 2014.

(Regina Pats Hockey Club)

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