Shaun Clouston has been named the new Kamloops Blazers General Manager, a role he will serve in while still continuing on as Head Coach of the WHL franchise.
“After a thorough process of interviewing both external and internal candidates for the vacant General Manager position, we concluded that the solutions were already within the organization,” Blazers majority co-owner Tom Gaglardi said.
“As such, we have asked Shaun Clouston to assume GM duties for the hockey club. He will be well supported by others as he takes on greater responsibility. Given Shaun’s past accomplishments and resume, we have no doubt he will be successful.”
Clouston was hired as head coach ahead of the 2019-20 season, leading the Blazers to back-to-back B.C. Division titles in 2019-20 and 2020-21. In 85 games behind the Blazers bench, Clouston has a 59-22-3-1 record.
“I want to thank Tom Gaglardi and the Blazers organization,” he said. “I am very honoured and grateful for the opportunity to lead this team. Kamloops is a wonderful community and a great hockey town.”
“I look forward to working alongside Tim, Robbie, Toledo and the rest of the Blazers staff to create a winning culture and a competitive, hardworking team the city and fans can be proud of.”
Prior to joining the Blazers in 2019, Clouston spent seven seasons as the Medicine Hat Tigers General Manager and Head Coach from 2013-2019. He has 450 career WHL wins – leaving him 15th all-time and the most among all active coaches in the WHL.
The Viking, AB native will be entering his twentieth season as a coach in the WHL, having also spent time in Portland and Tri-City. He takes over from Matt Bardsley who was the Blazers GM for the past three seasons.
The Blazers also announced that Tim O’Donovan, the clubs Director of Hockey Operations for the past two seasons, will serve as Assistant General Manager.
O’Donovan originally joined the Blazers in 2009 as the hockey club’s Media and Video Coordinator. He has been with Hockey Canada as a Video Coach at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels.
“Tim has been with the club for 12 years and his role has steadily increased over that time. We are thrilled to see Tim’s continued growth and have full confidence in his abilities,” added Gaglardi.
O’Donovan will work closely with Clouston and Director of Player Personnel, Robbie Sandland in all hockey related areas.
More to come
Tim O’Donovan has been promoted to Assistant General Manager. pic.twitter.com/aU5Bk2YUvQ
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) July 20, 2021
Tom Gaglardi introduces Shaun Clouston as Head Coach / GM, while Tim O’Donovan promoted to Assistant General Manager. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/0aSa4Y68Ll
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) July 20, 2021
