Spokane Chiefs extend Nachbaur through next season

One day before the regular season begins, the Spokane Chiefs extended the contract of coach Don Nachbaur to keep the franchise’s all-time winningest coach under contract through the 2017-18 season.

“Don is one of the premier coaches in the Western Hockey League,” Chiefs’ general manager Scott Carter said in a news release. “Both Bobby (Brett) and I are excited that he will remain our head coach.”

Nachbaur enters his seventh season and already leads the franchise in wins (424) and is only one game away from tying current Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock for the most games coached. Nachbaur’s .552 winning percentage also ranks second all-time, according to the release.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting young team with a promising future,” said Nachbaur in the release. “I am equally proud to continue as a Chief and look forward to working closely with Scott, our staff and players.”

With 665 wins, Nachbaur is only one of four Western Hockey League coaches with 600 or more career victories. He previously coached the Seattle Thunderbirds and also is the career leader in wins (235) for the Tri-City Americans.