By James Peters

NEW COACH

Kamloops Blazers hire new head coach; Sydor to be associate coach

Jun 17, 2019 | 10:17 AM

KAMLOOPS — A long-time WHL coach has been hired to lead the Kamloops Blazers.

In a news release, the Blazers say general manager Matt Bardsley announced today (June 17) that Shaun Clouston has been named the team’s head coach and Darryl Sydor is the club’s associate coach.

“We are excited about the dynamic that Shaun and Darryl along with the rest of our staff can bring that will help provide team success while enabling the players to maximize their potential individually,” said Bardsley.

Clouston has spent the past 16 seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He was an assistant and associate coach with the Tigers from 2003 to 2010 — where he won two WHL championships in 2004 and 2007.

“We are excited to have Shaun join our organization as Head Coach,” said Bardsley. “He brings with him a wealth of successful Western Hockey League experience as well as International experience by representing Hockey Canada multiple times. He has a great understanding of today’s players and is known for having his teams play with speed, structure and a high compete level that will be exciting for the outstanding group of players we will have for the upcoming season.”

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

5h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

The Alberta native was the Tigers’ head coach from 2010 to 2013, and spent 2013 to 2019 as the general manager and head coach of the club. He’s the Tigers’ all-time winningest coach and has 391 wins in the WHL. 

“It is a tremendous honour to join the Kamloops Blazers organization,” said Clouston. “I am excited to meet our players and eager to begin working alongside Matt, Darryl and our entire staff in creating a successful team both on the ice and in the community. My family and I look forward to making Kamloops our new home.”

Sydor is joining the Blazers on a full-time basis for the 2019 to 2020 season as an associate coach, after stepping behind the bench last season as an assistant coach.

He played nearly 1,300 NHL games during his career, and won two Stanley Cups with Dallas in 1999 and Tampa Bay in 2004.

“We are very fortunate to have the quality of person and coach in Darryl return to the organization as Associate Coach,” said Bardsley. “His experience of being a Blazer alumni, NHL player and coach is so invaluable to the organization and the players,” said Bardsley.

Clouston takes over from Serge Lajoie, who parted ways with the Blazers after one season.