The historic season for the Prince George Cougars will see a little more hardware added on to it.
Today (Wednesday), the WHL announced Cougars General Manager & Head Coach Mark Lamb has won the league’s Coach and Executive of the Year awards.
This is the first time Lamb has won either honour and the first time the Coach of the Year has gone to a person behind the P.G. Cougars bench.
In his sixth season, Lamb helped the Cougars to a 49-15-1-3 record, marking the best record in the franchises’ 30-year history.
This culminated in a record-breaking season that earned the Cougars a BC Division crown and the best record in the Western Conference.
In addition, PG ranked first in the WHL in road wins (24) and power-play goals for (84).
Furthermore, the Cats paced the Western Conference in wins (49), points (102), power-play percentage (30.1%), penalty-kill percentage (84.3%), and goal differential (+129).
“This really is a team award” said humbly by Mark Lamb. “Winning this award means that we have a great hockey team and a great coaching staff. With the addition of Jim Playfair and having Carter Rigby and Taylor Dakers, it’s a really tight group. Acknowledging this award and winning this award, it goes to a lot of people.”
Under Lamb’s guidance, forward Zac Funk (67-56-123) was named the BC Division nominee for the WHL Player of the Year, Terik Parascak (43-62-105) is in the running for
Rookie of the Year, while captain Hudson Thornton (18-56-74) is the BC Division nominee for Defenceman of the year.
In the front office, Lamb also acquired forwards Borya Valis and Matteo Danis while bringing in veteran Chase Pauls to strengthen Prince George’s defensive depth.
In April 2023, Lamb also signed undrafted netminder Joshua Ravensbergen to a players contract. The 6-foot-4 netminder was among the best goaltenders in the league in his rookie season, posting a league-high six shutouts.
WATCH:
“To receive this award… It just means that you have a really good team, a lot of good players, and you have a great coaching staff.” – Hear from Mark Lamb, the 2024 WHL Coach of the Year. @PGCougars | #WHLAwards pic.twitter.com/oEDcy7A7ks
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 1, 2024
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