By Cami Kepke via Western Hockey League

SPOKANE, Wash. –  The Spokane Chiefs’ new Head Coach brings his NHL pedigree and esteemed WHL resume to the team’s bench.

Former WHL Coach of the Year Brad Lauer has been revealed as the 16th full-time Head Coach in franchise history.

“We are very excited to have Brad lead our team as the next Head Coach for the Spokane Chiefs,” General Manager Matt Bardsley said. “He led his team to tremendous success in the WHL during his four seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings, as well as preparing and developing his players for the next level. With Brad’s nine years of NHL coaching experience, and most recently with the Winnipeg Jets, he has a great understanding of what it takes for today’s junior players to not only play in the NHL but succeed there. Brad is an excellent communicator and teacher of the game. He is well-respected in the hockey industry and we received strong endorsements from executives within the WHL and NHL. We would like to welcome Brad along with his wife, Daria, and two daughters, Camryn and Addison, to Spokane.”

Lauer is the WHL’s all-time leader in winning percentage (.742), captured the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, and led the Edmonton Oil Kings to the team’s third WHL Championship in 2021-22.

The Humboldt, Sask. product helped the Oil Kings to the Eastern Conference’s Central Division title in each of his four seasons in Edmonton, culminating in a six-game victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2022 WHL Playoffs and a trip to the 2022 Memorial Cup in Saint John, N.B.

Through Lauer’s tenure, the Oil Kings put up a staggering 154-46-13-10 record, which included franchise records for the longest winning streak in a single season (14 games, 2021-22) and best winning percentage (.765, 2021-22).

His multi-year contract with the Chiefs comes after a two-season stint in the NHL as an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets.

“I would like to thank owner Bobby Brett, President Mark Miles and General Manager Matt Bardsley for this opportunity to be the next head coach of the Spokane Chiefs,” Lauer said. “I’m grateful and excited to lead a team with such a rich hockey history. During this process, I had great conversations with Matt regarding the organization, community and direction of the team. I’m looking forward to working with our players and staff to reach our full potential.”

Prior to his time in Edmonton, he spent more than a decade coaching in the professional ranks, including nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Lauer began his coaching career as an assistant with the Kootenay ICE from 2002-2007.

As a player, the forward suited up for the Regina Pats for three season, posting 74 goals and 91 assists for 165 points in 189 games.

The New York Islanders selected Lauer with the 34th pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.

He would go on to play 323 NHL games over nine seasons, tallying 111 points with the Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lauer and the Chiefs will kick off the 2024-25 campaign looking for some revenge on the road as they take on the Prince George Cougars- the team that eliminated Spokane from the 2024 WHL Playoffs- on September 20.