The Western Hockey League (WHL) announced Penticton Vees President, Head Coach and General Manager Fred Harbinson has been awarded the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as WHL Executive of the Year for the 2025-26 Regular Season.
Harbinson becomes the first WHL Award winner in Penticton Vees franchise history. He is also the first General Manager of an expansion franchise in WHL history to be named Executive of the Year.
In the Club’s first WHL season, the Vees won the WHL’s B.C. Division title with a record of 44-14-6-4. In the process, Harbinson’s Vees set a Canadian Hockey League record for wins by an expansion franchise. The 1982-83 Longueuil Chevaliers of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League were the previous holders of the mark, having won 37 games during their inaugural campaign.
The Vees finished fourth in the WHL’s overall standings and served as the third stingiest team in the WHL, allowing a mere 188 goals against (2.76 goals against per game) while producing the sixth-best offense in the WHL with 268 goals for in 68 games (3.94 goals for per game).
The Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy is named in memory of Lloyd Saunders, a longtime supporter of junior hockey in Western Canada. Dubbed the ‘Dean’ of sportscaster in Western Canada, Saunders covered major events such as the Olympics, the World Series, the Grey Cup, several Briers, and six Memorial Cups.
The WHL Executive of the Year Award is voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.
This year’s finalists for Executive of the Year are listed below:
Garry Davidson, Calgary Hitmen
Willie Desjardins, Medicine Hat Tigers
Mike Fraser, Everett Silvertips
Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets
Fred Harbinson, Penticton Vees
Curtis Hunt, Prince Albert Raiders
