The Kamloops Blazers have added Mark Holick to the coaching staff as an Associate Coach, one day after announcing the departure of Cory Clouston.

Holick joins the Blazers after most recently spending the last three seasons at the Yale Hockey Academy coaching the U18 Prep team. The Penticton native has over 25 years of experience as a coach in the AJHL, BCHL, WHL, AHL, and with Hockey Canada.

He has twice been a WHL Head Coach first with the Kootenay Ice from 2007 to 2010 and again with the Prince George Cougars from 2013 to 2016. During his time with the Ice, Holick was named WHL Coach of the Year in 2010.

“[Trainer] Toledo sent me a text out of the blue to see if I’d have any interest. I talked to [Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston] from there and long story short we met, and it just kept progressing,” Holick told NL Sports. “I reached out to a lot of people too to find out more about Kamloops and everything checked out great.”

“The team has a chance, the ownership is solid… just the way they treat their players and the staff – everything came back positive.”

Prior to his coaching career, Holick played four seasons in the WHL from 1984 to 1988 with the Saskatoon Blades and New Westminster Bruins. He also played five seasons of pro hockey.

“I felt comfortable with [Shaun], he felt comfortable with me. We didn’t really know each other personally but I have a lot of respect for what he’s done and looking forward to working with him,” Holick added.

“Shaun has had a lot of success in this league and has done a great job with the Blazers. I am looking forward to working with him and the players in helping them pursue their goals.”

Holick and Clouston have coached against each other in the WHL, while Clouston was with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

“I just felt that at this time we needed an experienced guy. Someone with experience in our league, the head coaching experience is an absolute bonus,” Clouston said. “He’s personable, he’s passionate, he’s got a good sense of humour. Those things are going to be really, really important.”

The Blazers next order of business is the start of Training Camp on September 8.

Mark Holick @coachholly68 jumping aboard the ship!
The new Associate Coach is ready for his next hockey endeavour. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/D9kpZJTgXu

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) August 12, 2021

🎥 Blazers Head Coach / GM @ShaunClouston on today’s hiring of Mark Holick ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/lrdGIUNFPi

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) August 12, 2021