PENTICTON, British Columbia – The BC Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) announced on Monday morning that Spokane Chiefs Head Coach Don Nachbaur is the inaugural recipient of the Pat Quinn Coaching Award.

Nachbaur has coached six seasons with the Chiefs and holds the franchise record for wins by a coach with 234. At 424 games coached behind the Spokane bench, he trails only current Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Mike Babcock (425).

Before coaching in Spokane, Nachbaur spent one season with the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators after coaching six seasons with the Chiefs’ rival Tri-City Americans. He also coached six seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, another division rival of the Chiefs.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be the first recipient of the Pat Quinn Coaching Award,” said Nachbaur in the BCHHF’s press release. “To be mentioned in the same breath as Pat Quinn is quite overwhelming. As a coach, I can only hope to impact people as Pat did in his life. It is with much respect and gratitude to accept this recognition.”

Born in Kitimat, B.C. and raised in Prince George, B.C., Nachbaur is the only coach to be named WHL Coach of the Year for three separate teams, including with the Chiefs in 2011. He holds the franchise record for wins by a coach for both the Chiefs and Americans.

The Pat Quinn Award

The Pat Quinn Award was established in 2015 and is presented annually to an individual, regardless of their level of coaching, that helps and shares excellence by educating players in the sport of hockey.

Inducted into the BCHHF in 2002, Quinn enjoyed an extensive NHL career as a player, coach and executive that spanned over three decades. He passed away in November 2014 at the age of 71.