By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
Don Nachbaur is the man the owners of the Kamloops Blazers would like to have coaching their WHL team.
The Daily News learned Tuesday that Nachbaur, who is under contract to the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, apparently tops the three-candidate shortlist compiled by Blazers’ general manager Craig Bonner.
Neither Bonner nor Nachbaur, who was the Western Conference’s nominee as coach of the year last season, returned messages last night.
However, a source familiar with the situation said that Nachbaur tops the list.
Bonner said last week that he had a three-man short list and that he and the ownership group were preparing an offer to be presented to their top candidate.
Bonner has acknowledged that Barry Smith, who was fired in April after five years as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, is on that list.
But a source said last night that Smith is not the No. 1 candidate.
As for Nachbaur . . .
“He is under contract so I’d rather not say anything,” Tri-City general manager Bob Tory said. “He’s under contract for another season.”
Asked if the Blazers had asked for permission to speak with Nachbaur, Tory said: “Not formally.”
Like most, if not all, WHL coaching contracts, Nachbaur’s deal includes an escape clause, but only if he were to move up hockey’s ladder. The clause in Nachbaur’s contract runs from June 1 to July 1, meaning it has expired.
“He has a window for one month for a pro job but not a lateral move . . . that window has expired,” Tory said.
Tory added that he likely would extend that window should Nachbaur receive an offer from an NHL team.
“Don has been with me long enough that if his wishes were to move on I’d never stand in his way,” Tory said, “but I’d want the NHL team to go through the proper channels.”
Nachbaur has completed six seasons as the Americans’ head coach. Earlier, he and Tory also worked together with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Mark Recchi, one of the Blazers’ five owners, said last night that the team is getting “close” to signing a coach.
“We’re getting there,” Recchi said. “(Bonner) is close to making a decision. He’s done his due diligence . . . I think he’s talking to a couple of guys still.
“Whatever guy we get is going to be very good. Either one is going to be great.”
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
