The Kamloops Blazers will have different look on the bench come September — with a pair of younger, new faces helping guide the rebuild of the team’s fortunes.
The Blazers have hired Steve Marr and Brayden Toma as Assistant Coaches for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
Marr is a Kamloops native and comes to the Blazers from the North Shore Warriors Hockey Academy, which is tied to the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL).
Marr was the Director of Hockey Development along with the Head Coach of the U15 Prep Team.
During his time with the North Shore Warriors, Marr coached notable young players that have played NHL games including Connor Bedard and Fraser Minten.
Marr’s playing career started in Kamloops through the minor hockey system before playing four seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers from 2001 to 2005.
He was the captain of the Tigers for two seasons including when he won a WHL Championship with the Tigers in 2004.
“I was fortunate to coach Steve in Medicine Hat for two seasons,” noted Blazers General Manager and Head Coach Shaun Clouston. “Steve possesses passion and strong communication skills that allow him to connect with today’s players.”
“With his experience as a player and a coach, we are excited for what he will bring to our team,” added Clouston.
New Kamloops Blazers Assistant Coach Steve Marr (c) pictured with former Kamloops Blazer Fraser Minten (R) and WHL standout and 2023 first overall NHL Draft pick Connor Bedard/via Steve Marr
Brayden Toma joins the Blazers after spending this past season as the Head Coach of the St. George’s School U18 Prep team.
Before that, Toma spent six seasons as the Head Coach of the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 team of the CSSHL where they captured back-to-back championships in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
Toma, who is from Ardrossan, AB, has also coached numerous players which have come through the Western Hockey League, including Gannon Laroque, Ben Hemmerling, and Cole Reschny.
“Brayden has had tremendous success with many current and future WHL players at the CSSHL level,” said Clouston. “Brayden will be a great addition to our team and a valuable resource to our players.”
The addition of the two new full-time assistant coaches does mean that Chris Murray will not be returning next season to the part-time role he held on the Blazers coaching staff.
Marr and Toma arrive in Kamloops on the heels of the club parting ways with veteran Associate Coach Don Hay, whose contract was not renewed after three years with the team in his latest stint in Kamloops.
Hay’s departure was announced last month.
