For the 2024/25 season the CSSHL is proud to introduce the Coach of the Month Award for the three different CSSHL divisions: Eastern, West Female, and West Male.

This award is aimed at recognizing the incredible coaches within the CSSHL and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership and impact on the game both on and off the ice.

We would like to congratulate these three coaches, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of November

East Division –  Pat Lenehan, Okanagan Hockey Ontario: 

“Since joining Okanagan Hockey Ontario, Pat has been an integral part in building our culture. He understands what it means to build relationships with student-athletes and to make sure they feel supported. He has created an environment where our student athletes can be themselves, be held accountable and know their coaches care for them while pushing them to be their best. His work ethic is second to none and he goes above and beyond each day and on travel weekends to make sure the players have everything they need to be successful. Lastly, he represents the Okanagan Hockey Group and the CSSHL with class and respect.”

West Female Division –  Annette Jensen, Edge School:

Annette was nominated by fellow CSSHL member program Balmoral Hall School program, who had the following to say:

“This month, Edge hosted the Female U18 Prep Division for a league showcase weekend, which ran incredibly smoothly. I’m nominating Annette for going above and beyond to assist another team and player in need. When we landed in Calgary, one of our players hockey bags didn’t arrive with the rest of the teams, and in the morning it still wasn’t anywhere to be found. I got on the phone with Annette less than 6 hours before game time to inquire about getting extra equipment to piece together for our player to still be able to participate in games that weekend. Annette went above and beyond to help find gear for our player, all while she was coaching her own teams game! It’s moments like these that remind us all of the importance to support each other, even if we’re playing against each other in games, we’re all on the same team when it comes to representing our league. Annette is a great ambassador for our league and she is very well deserving of the recognition as Coach of the Month.”

West Male Division – Robert & Jagger Dirk, Okanagan Hockey Academy:

“The West Male Division Coach of the Month is the father/son duo of Coaches Robert and Jagger Dirk of the OHA U18 Prep team. Their exemplary leadership and dedication to the team demonstrate the highest standards of coaching and mentorship.

The father-son dynamic between Coaches Robert Dirk and Jagger Dirk is a testament to their exceptional relationship, as well as their ability to work seamlessly together to support the growth and development of their players. Despite the usual challenges associated with high-level hockey — including short bench rotations due to illness, injuries, and player movements between affiliate teams — these coaches have consistently remained positive, encouraging, and focused on fostering an environment of learning and growth. When the team experiences setbacks, whether in practice or during games, their approach is constructive. Instead of reacting with frustration, they engage in thoughtful analysis, identifying areas for improvement and focusing on solutions.

They maintain high expectations and demand hard work from their players, yet they do so in a fair, unemotional manner. Any corrections made are constructive and without lingering negativity. There are no grudges; the focus is always on improvement and moving forward.

A noteworthy example of their attention to detail and commitment to player safety occurred during a recent practice. When rapid-fire shots were taken before the goalie had time to properly set up, Coach Robert made sure to address the situation, not only with the individual involved but also with the entire team. This commitment to maintaining a safe practice environment is something that often gets overlooked in hockey, but Coaches Robert and Jagger prioritize it, ensuring that all players, especially goalies, are protected.”

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For the 2024/25 season the CSSHL is proud to introduce the Coach of the Month Award for the three different CSSHL divisions: Eastern, West Female, and West Male.

This award is aimed at recognizing the incredible coaches within the CSSHL and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership and impact on the game both on and off the ice.

We would like to congratulate these three coaches, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of October.

East Division –  FX Girard, Bourget College:

“As a Bourget College alum and former NCAA student-athlete, FX is incredible leader for student-athletes. He is a great assistant bench-boss, giving a ton to student-athletes on and off the ice. He serves as the programs Strength Coach with a Kinesiology background. FX always making decisions that best benefit individuals and has a great support mechanism and amazing coaching potential.”

West Female Division –  Kris Hogg, RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna:

“Kris recently joined NCAA program Clarkson University as an assistant coach, after leading RHA Kelowna to an undefeated start to the 2024/25 season. During his eight year coaching career in the CSSHL he has accomplished the following:

• 106 players graduated to play College Hockey
• 5 CSSHL Western Championships, including 3 straight
• 1 Gold Medal at Winter Games team BC
• 1 Western Canadian National Championship
• 2 Stoney Creek Titles
• Calgary Firestarter Tournament Champion
• 164-14-7 CSSHL regular season record
• +861 goal differential”

West Male Division – Rick McConnell, Pilot Mound Hockey Academy: 

“Rick is the staple of the PMHA coaching staff. Rick’s open-door policy has allowed his players to gain trust and build strong habits to start the season. Rick’s communication with his team has set them up for success this season, allowing players to feel comfortable and accepting that mistakes will happen and that learning from them is of the utmost importance. Rick’s practice style is high-paced with strong competition in a positive atmosphere. Rick strongly encourages his student-athletes to participate in community events, including cleaning the arena, volunteering with Pilot Mound Minor Hockey, and helping with the Learn to Skate program with Rock Lake Figure Skating. Coach Rick is PMHA’s coach mentor and has spent many hours to start the season to get everybody on the same page within the PMHA program. Rick is the go-to person on staff, and PMHA appreciates the extra effort that he puts into the program to get the academy involved with the local community.”

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For the 2024/25 season the CSSHL is proud to introduce the Coach of the Month Award for the three different CSSHL divisions: Eastern, West Female, and West Male.

This award is aimed at recognizing the incredible coaches within the CSSHL and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership and impact on the game both on and off the ice.

We would like to congratulate these three coaches, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of September.

East Division –  Martin Gascon, Bourget College:

“Martin could be a candidate for this on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. Why, because the energy and effort applied for the student-athletes is unmatched. Couple this with an intellect and methodical practice of resolving and concluding, always lends towards optimal decisions and monumental impact on the daily lives of our student athletes. Whether we are referring to hockey, academics, or life situations, the empathetic approach, while always teaching, has proved to have significant impacts on the lives of the people he touches. If we simply look at hockey, his knowledge, teaching ability, communication, and the overall impact-ability, you will see that the amount of student-athletes that have developed, grown, and evolved under his tutelage is remarkable.”

West Female Division –  Jesse Hammill, Okanagan Hockey Academy:

“In the first month of the season Jesse has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his team. The first coach to show up in the morning and last to leave, Jesse has repeatedly gone above and beyond for his team. Whether it be promoting his players to scouts and universities, driving to BC Hockey events to support his players that have been invited or putting together presentations for his parent group, Jesse has repeatedly gone the extra mile. From a competition standpoint his efforts were rewarded the opening showcase weekend with his team finishing 4-0 to start league play giving up only 2 goals during the weekend.”

West Male Division – Jamieson McVicar, STAR Hockey Academy: 

“Jamieson’s commitment to the development and success of the student-athletes at STAR Hockey Academy has been exemplary, making him a key figure in our program’s growth and achievements. As the lead for all individual development plans (IDPs) at the academy, Jamieson plays a crucial role in shaping the progress and performance of each athlete. His enthusiasm and personalized approach ensure that every player has a clear path to achieving their full potential, both on and off the ice. He takes the time to understand each athlete’s strengths, areas for improvement, and long-term goals, tailoring development plans that are both challenging and supportive. In addition to his IDP responsibilities, Jamieson serves as the assistant coach for our U15 Prep team. His positive coaching style, coupled with his ability to connect with the players, has fostered an environment of growth, confidence, and teamwork. Jamieson’s impact goes beyond the X’s and O’s of the game; he is a mentor, a motivator, and a role model for our athletes. Jamieson’s impact is felt across the academy, by student-athletes and staff alike.”

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