Cory Clouston is back in the WHL.
The former Kootenay Ice assistant coach and bench boss has signed a two-year contract with the Prince Albert Raiders, as the club introduced their new head coach on Monday afternoon.
Clouston takes over from Steve Young, who was fired at the end of April by the Raiders GM Bruno Campese following an early playoff exit.
“We are excited to have Cory join our team,” said Campese, in a press release. “He brings experience from different levels and has a proven track record of winning. Cory’s work ethic is second to none and very disciplined in his approach.”
Clouston has extensive experience in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice and the Brandon Wheat Kings, starting in Cranbrook as an assistant coach to Ryan McGill in 1999.
Two years later, he took over the head coaching job when McGill went pro in the AHL.
In five years, Clouston took the Ice to the WHL conference finals and became the winningest coach in franchise history, however, McGill, back for his second tenure, has caught up to and tied his record of 209 wins.
Clouston took WHL coach of the year honours in 2004-5 and 2006-07, and captured the CHL version of the award the first time around.
Clouston graduated to the AHL in 2008-09, and coached the Binghampton Senators before moving up to their parent club in the NHL for two years in Ottawa.
He’s also made his mark in international hockey, winning a gold medal with Team Canada in the 2005 U18 World Championships, and earning the same hardware the following year as a head coach.
“I am very excited to join the Raider organization,” said Clouston. “I look forward to getting to know the players, working with hockey staff and becoming a part of a community that has such a a strong hockey tradition.”