The Western Hockey League announced today Brad Lauer, Head Coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings, has been named the recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL Coach of the Year) Presented by McSweeney’s Premium Jerky & Meat Snacks.

Lauer led the Oil Kings to a WHL Central Division-best record of 42-12-6-4 (94 points) in his second season behind the bench in Edmonton. Under the guidance of the 53-year-old native of Humboldt, Sask., the Oil Kings have claimed back-to-back Central Division titles. In his two seasons behind the bench with the Oil Kings, they have compiled a record of 84-30-10-8 across 132 WHL regular season games.

“As a proud partner of the WHL, McSweeney’s is proud to congratulate Brad Lauer of the Edmonton Oil Kings, winner of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year,” said Kylie Landry, Brand Manager McSweeney’s Premium Jerky & Meat Snacks.

The Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy for WHL Coach of the Year is presented annually to the WHL coach who has had the greatest impact upon his Club’s performance during the WHL Regular Season. The trophy is named in memory of Dunc McCallum, the legendary Brandon Wheat Kings Head Coach, who was twice named WHL Coach of the Year while building the Wheat Kings into a WHL powerhouse in the 1970s. From 1976 to 1981, McCallum compiled an impressive regular season record of 251-123-41 while behind the bench of the Wheat Kings.

As the recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Presented by McSweeney’s Premium Jerky & Meat Snacks, Lauer is now a nominee for the Sofina Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award as the Canadian Hockey League’s Coach of the Year.

RUNNER UP: Dennis Williams, Everett Silvertips

Winners of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy / WHL Coach of the Year (since 2000):
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: Willie Desjardins, Medicine Hat Tigers*
2004-05: Cory Clouston, Kootenay ICE*
2003-04: Kevin Constantine, Everett Silvertips
2002-03: Marc Habscheid, Kelowna Rockets*
2001-02: Bob Lowes, Regina Pats*
2000-01: Brent Sutter, Red Deer Rebels*
1999-00: Todd McLellan, Swift Current Broncos

*Denotes CHL Coach of the Year recipient