SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs have announced Brad Lauer as their new head coach. Lauer comes to Spokane as the WHL’s all-time leader in winning percentage.
“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.”
The Humboldt, Saskatchewan native has spent the last two seasons with the Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League as an assistant coach. Before that, Lauer spent four seasons as the head coach for the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he led the team to a WHL Championship in 2021-22.
Lauer was named the WHL coach of the year following the 2019-20 season.
Before he joined Edmonton, the 57-year-old spent a decade coaching at the professional level as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lighting (NHL), Anaheim Ducks (NHL), Syracuse Crunch (AHL), Ottawa Senators (NHL) and Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).
The Chiefs start their 2024-25 campaign on the road against the Prince George Cougars on September 20.
