NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins reacts to a missed call in the third period of a 4-3 Game 3 loss at Swift Current to the Broncos on April 3 in the first-round series.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Teamwork makes the dream work, it also helps get names on award lists.
On Tuesday, the Western Hockey League announced the six finalists for the Lloyd Sanders Memorial trophy for executive of the year and the finalists for the Dunc McCallum Memorial trophy for coach of the year.
Medicine Hat Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins was on of the six finalists for both awards, a nomination that has become almost ritual over the past three seasons.
With the nomination for the 2024-25 season, Desjardins has been a finalist for executive of the year in two of the last three seasons and has been a finalist for coach of the year for three straight seasons.
“It mean’s I have a really good group of guys and have a really good staff and a great organization,” Desjardins said following practice Wednesday. “That’s all it means, it’s not something you can get on your own.”
This year’s award process, with three nominees from each conference, represents a return to the WHL conference awards format – rather than divisional – for the first time since 2019-20.
The Tigers general manager is nominated alongside Calgary Hitmen GM Garry Davidson, Saskatoon Blades GM Colin Priestner, Spokane Chiefs GM Matt Bardsley, Victoria Royals GM Jake Heisinger and Everett Silvertips GM Mike Fraser.
One of the players Desjardins acquired during the season, defenceman Tanner Molendyk, was not surprised by the nominations. He says the Tigers coach has been welcoming and treats every player like a pro.
“You can tell he’s a pro coach, he knows what he’s doing,” Molendyk said. “He treats every guy like they’re up there. There’s no one better than another, which is pretty cool. It’s what you want in the room.”
Medicine Hat’s all-time win leader and the newest member of the WHL’s 500-win club, was nominated for coach of the year alongside Dan DaSilva (Saskatoon Blades), Bill Peters (Lethbridge Hurricanes), James Patrick (Victoria Royals), Brad Lauer (Spokane Chiefs) and Matt O’Dette (Seattle Thunderbirds).
Desjardins finished the season with 523 careers wins, passing former Tiger coach Pat Ginnell for 11th all-time in wins. He previously won the WHL and CHL coach of the year in 2005-06.
He takes pride in his work but Desjardins says there’s no worry about awards. He says the nominations are a reflection of the work and those around him helping get him and the team as a whole, to where they are.
“There’s guys who have done a heck of a job in our league who don’t get recognized, they just don’t,” Desjardins said. “It’s great to get it but everybody’s had their own challenges this year, every organization, and for us, I wouldn’t get those awards at all if the boys didn’t play hard over the last stretch, there’s nothing there. So is it nice to get? Yes, but it’s a reflection on the organization and on the staff.”
WHL announces prospect draft news
The WHL announced the formalities of the draft lottery to be held tonight.
The lottery draft, set to decide the order for the upcoming prospects draft, will be streamed live tonight on Victory+, starting at 6 p.m.
The Draft Lottery involves the six non playoff teams, Red Deer, Wenatchee, Kamloops, Kelowna, Regina and Moose Jaw.
Moose Jaw’s draft pick, belonging to the Edmonton Oil Kings, has the best odds at winning the first overall pick. Followed up by the Regina Pats and Kelowna Rockets as teams can move up a maximum of two spots.
The expansion Penticton Vees have been awarded the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. The Vees will pick first after the opening round, starting with pick No. 23.
An expansion draft is also scheduled to take place May 7.
The WHL will settle the U.S. priority draft order Thursday.
The first round of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft will be held on May 7 at 5 p.m. The 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will be held May 8 at 9 a.m. with the remainder of the WHL Prospect Draft to follow.
It is the first time the WHL has moved from a complete, one-day prospects draft.
