The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Former Flin Flon Bomber coach Paddy Ginnell is one of four winners of the Western Hockey League's inaugural Governors Award. The award is given out to individuals who have contributed to the overall growth and development of the WHL, as selected by the WHL board of governors. This year's winners also include former NHL all-star Bill Hicke, former New Westminster Bruins head coach Ernie McLean, and former Regina Pats owner Del Wilson. Ginnell finished his WHL coaching career third on the all-time list for most games coached at 963, and wins with 518. He spent 15 seasons as coach of the Flin Flon Bombers, Victoria Cougars, Lethbridge Broncos, Medicine Hat Tigers and New Westminster Bruins. Ginnell passed away last June. Hicke played 729 games in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Oakland/California Seals and the Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring in 1973. He is also a former owner of the Regina Pats, and served as the team's governor from 1986 to 1988 before taking over as general manager from 1989 to 1995. McLean coached 16 seasons in the WHL with the Estevan Bruins and New Westminster Bruins, leading New Westminster to four consecutive WHL championships from 1974-75 to 1977-78 and two Memorial Cup titles in 1977 and 1978. He is second all-time among WHL coaches in games coached with 1,067 and games won with 548. Wilson was recognized for his many years of service with the league and the Pats. He was also instrumental in bringing the WHL, OHL and QMJHL together to form the Canadian Hockey League.
