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The Â鶹´«Ã½Èë¿Ú (CSSHL) is excited to announce the three winners of the Coach of the Month Award for November: Pat Lenehan, Annette Jensen, and Robert/Jagger Dirk.

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 –Ìý Pat Lenehan, Okanagan Hockey Ontario:Ìý

“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 –Ìý 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.”