Image Credit: Kelowna Rockets

By Victor Kaisar

Don Hay Hired

Kelowna Rockets hire Kamloops native Don Hay as Associate Coach

Jun 27, 2025 | 11:41 AM

KELOWNA, B.C. — Don Hay is a Kelowna Rocket.

The Rockets announced the hiring of the 71-year-old Hay as an Associate Coach Friday (June 27). It comes a little over a month after the Blazers announced they would not be bringing Hay back for the 2025-2026 WHL season.

“Don Hay stands as one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the history of Canadian junior hockey,” the Rockets said in a statement. “Over a career spanning four decades, Hay has cemented himself as a WHL icon with a reputation for championship-calibre leadership, elite player development, and program-building excellence.”

Along with being the winningest coach in WHL history with 752 careers wins, Hay won four Memorial Cups – three of which were with the Blazers, two as Head Coach. He also won four WHL championships as a head or assistant coach, is a two-time WHL Coach of the Year (1999 and 2009) and was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.

Hay was an Assistant Coach for the Blazers from 1985 to 1992, Head Coach for two stints – from 1992 to 1995 and 2014 to 2018 – and an Associate Coach from 2022 to 2025.

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“The Blazers have been great to me,” Hay told CFJC Today last month. “They brought me back for an opportunity to be part of the team that was in the Memorial Cup, honoured their contract and gave me three years.”

“I haven’t thought that much beyond the Blazers,” Hay added. “I don’t think I’m the type of guy that would really like to retire right now. I feel I’m pretty active, pretty competitive.”

In addition to Kamloops, Hay has been Head Coach of the Tri-City Americans and the Vancouver Giants in the WHL, an assistant coach of the Portland Winterhawks, and has held coaching roles at the NHL and AHL levels as well.

He also won a gold medals with Team Canada as Head Coach at the 1995 World Junior Championships as well as at the 2013 World U18 Championships.

Hay will get another chance at coaching at a Memorial Cup as the Rockets are hosting the 2026 edition next spring. He’ll work alongside Derrick Martin, who was confirmed as the Rocket’s full-time Head Coach Friday.

Martin was hired as an Assistant Coach last summer and took over as the Rockets Interim Head Coach after Kris Malette was let go in January.

“Hay’s reputation extends beyond league accolades; his influence has touched multiple generations of elite players who have advanced to the NHL and international competition under his guidance,” the Rockets added.

“His teams have been known for their discipline, structure, and relentless competitive drive.”