A lifelong hockey coach from Prince George found his way into the WHL record books once again.
On Friday, Don Nachbaur set the league record for most games coached at 1,412 surpassing legendary Portland Winterhawks and Edmonton Oil Kings bench boss Ken Hodge (1,411).
The 66-year-old, born in Kitimat but grew up in Prince George has spent his entire 21-year WHL coaching career in Washington State.
After hanging up his skates as a player in 1993-94, Nachbaur jumped right into the coaching ranks taking the reins of the Seattle Thunderbirds where he spent six seasons (1994-2000).
Following two years as an assistant coach with the American Hockey League’s Philadelphia Phantoms, Nachbaur returned the Pacific Northwest, this time with the Tri-City Americans.
His tenure in Kennewick last from 2003-2009 before departing for the AHL a second time with the Binghamton Senators.
Only lasting a year in New York State, the 66-year-old again returned to familiar roots becoming bench boss of the Spokane Chiefs (2010-17)
Nachbaur spent seven seasons in Spokane before finally getting the call to the NHL as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings (2017-19).
The northern BC native then toured Europe twice getting head coaching gigs in Slovakia and Switzerland.
Three more years in the AHL with the Stockton Heat and Calgary Wranglers led to his latest stop in Wenatchee with the Wild.
Nachbaur is a three-time WHL Coach of the Year recipient.
As a player, Nachbaur starred on the ice with the Merritt Centennials (BCHL) and Billings Bighorns (WHL).
Nachbaur had a long-playing career in the pro ranks mainly bouncing between the AHL and NHL.
The 66-year-old played in 223 NHL games with the Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.
In the minors, he called home in Springfield (Indians), Hershey (Bears) and New Haven (Nighthawks).
Nachbaur played his final seasons in Austria wit EC Graz.
In November of 2024, Nachbaur became only the third coach in WHL history to reach 700 wins, as his Wenatchee Wild edged the Kelowna Rockets by a 5-4 score.
The Wild are currently (5-10-1-1) on the season.
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