Blades’ Sonne named WHL coach of the year

Brennan Sonne is No. 1 in the WHL.

The head coach of the Saskatoon Blades was named the recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy for WHL coach of the year on Wednesday morning.

Sonne is in his second season with the Blades, and in the 2022-23 campaign, he led the team to one of its most successful regular seasons ever. Over the 68-game season, the Blades came away with 48 wins and 101 points, passing the 100-point mark for the first time in more than a decade. Over his two seasons leading the team, Sonne amassed an 86-41-9 record.

The coach said he’s honoured to receive the award, but noted he didn’t do it all himself.

“It is truly an organizational award, starting with the players,” Sonne said in a statement. “This season we’ve had a group of dedicated teammates, fantastic leadership and a work ethic you wouldn’t believe.”

Sonne is the fourth head coach of the Blades to receive the league’s highest coaching honour, and the first since Lorne Molleken won it back in the 1993-94 season.

The 2023 WHL awards were voted on by the league’s general managers and members of the media.

The Blades are currently in a tough spot in the WHL playoffs, down 3-0 in their series against the Winnipeg Ice. The Blades managed to climb out of a similar hole in their series against Red Deer, but it all comes down to Game 4 at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday night.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.