Silvertips’ Steve Hamilton named WHL Coach of the Year
Published 11:12 am Friday, May 1, 2026
The Western Hockey League announced Thursday Everett Silvertips head coach Steve Hamilton has been awarded the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as Western Hockey League Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 WHL Regular Season.
Having spent 12 seasons as a WHL head coach, this represents the first time Hamilton has been recognized as WHL Coach of the Year. Hamilton previously served as coach of the Calgary Hitmen (2018-19 to 2023-24) and Edmonton Oil Kings (2014-15 to 2017-18).
In two seasons at the helm of the Silvertips, Hamilton has guided the Club to back-to-back Scotty Munro Memorial Trophies as WHL Regular Season champions. In 2025-26, Hamilton’s squad finished with a record 57-8-2-1, representing the best season in Silvertips franchise history. Everett’s 57-win, 117-point campaign – achieved in 68 games – surpassed the previous best set by the franchise during the 2006-07 season when they went 54-15-1-2 for 111 points over a 72-game schedule.
Not only did Hamilton’s Silvertips rack up the wins, but they also did 96.5 per cent of that damage in regulation, claiming 55 regulation victories.
Under Hamilton, the Silvertips were the third highest scoring team this season, registering 304 goals for (4.47 goals for per game), while allowing a paltry 173 goals against (2.54 goals against) to finish second in the WHL.
The Silvertips power play finished the regular season fourth best in the WHL, with a conversion rate of 30.0 per cent, while Everett’s penalty kill was successful in denying 80.2 per cent of opportunities for opponents to finish fourth in the WHL.
From January 17, 2026, through February 14, 2026, the Silvertips strung together a 13-game winning streak – the third-best run in the WHL this season. At no point in the campaign did Everett lose two games in a row.
Everett boasted the best road record in the WHL this season, going 29-5-0-0. Unsurprisingly, the Club finished tied with the Medicine Hat Tigers for the League’s best home record, going 28-3-2-1.
Under Hamilton’s watch, a number of players enjoyed quality campaigns, including 16-year-old defenceman Landon DuPont, who was named to the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team, and Anaheim Ducks prospect Tarin Smith, Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen, and Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear, who were all named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team.
2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Matias Vanhanen was named a finalist for two WHL Awards – WHL Rookie of the Year and WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player.
DuPont is also a finalist for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Defenceman of the Year, while goaltender Raiden LeGall was recognized for his off-ice contributions as a finalist for WHL Humanitarian of the Year.
Hamilton is the first Everett head coach to win the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy since Kevin Constantine was honored in 2003-04 — the club’s expansion season.
The WHL Coach of the Year Award is voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.
COY winners (since 2010)
2025-26: Steve Hamilton, Everett Silvertips
2024-25: James Patrick, Victoria Royals
2023-24: Mark Lamb, Prince George Cougars
2022-23: Brennan Sonne, Saskatoon Blades
2021-22: James Patrick, Winnipeg ICE
2020-21: Not presented due to COVID-19
2019-20: Brad Lauer, Edmonton Oil Kings
2018-19: Marc Habscheid, Prince Albert Raiders
2017-18: Manny Viveiros, Swift Current Broncos
2016-17: John Paddock, Regina Pats
2015-16: Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals
2014-15: John Paddock, Regina Pats
2013-14: Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals
2012-13: Ryan McGill, Kootenay ICE
2011-12: Jim Hiller, Tri-City Americans
2010-11: Don Nachbaur, Spokane Chiefs
2009-10: Mark Holick, Kootenay ICE
