DON HAY EARNS 500th WIN

Press Release

Vancouver, B.C. – Don Hay became the fourth coach in WHL history to win 500 regular-season games as the Vancouver Giants edged the visiting Chilliwack Bruins 2-1 in Western Hockey League action on Saturday, December 4th.

Hay joins an elite group consisting of legends Ken Hodge (742 wins), Ernie ‘Punch’ McLean (548) and Pat Ginnell (518) as the only WHL coaches with 500 career regular-season victories.

"I owe it to a lot of good people, a lot of good organizations,ownership, managers (and) assistant coaches," said Hay following the victory. "When I finish (coaching), I can look back at it. But right now, I come here and I love doing this job. This job is getting the team prepared to play well."

Hay is in his 12th season as a head coach in the WHL, and seventh at the helm of the Vancouver Giants. The Kamloops, B.C., native has guided the Giants to five consecutive B.C. Division titles, a WHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship over the last five seasons.

Hay’s impressive coaching resume includes four Memorial Cup rings – one with the Giants in 2007, two as the head coach of the Kamloops Blazers in 1994 and 1995, and another as an assistant coach with the Blazers in 1992 – as well as three other appearances in the Memorial Cup tournament.

Hay is also a two-time recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Coach of the Year, earning the award with the Giants in 2009-10 and as head coach of the Tri-City Americans in 1999.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)