Hockey Nova Scotia is proud to announce that the Canso Minor Hockey Association’s Brent O'Handley is the winner of our 2022 Coach of the Year Award (Rec/C-Level).

Brent, a Grade 12 student at Guysborough Academy, first joined the Canso Minor Hockey Association as a 5-year old player. A talented and determined defenceman, Brent went on to play with the Novas U15 Major program, the Nova Scotia U16 AAA Hockey League’s Cabot Highlanders, as well as with the Cape Breton West Islanders as an affiliate.

This past season, Brent decided to remain involved in the game by passing on his knowledge to a new group of young players in the same association where his own hockey journey began. As an assistant coach with the U13 C Canso Bluefins, he helped his team develop both on and off the ice.

Throughout the 2021-2022 season, Brent displayed leadership, respect and professionalism. Organized and mature beyond his years, he was a role model for his team and someone they could all look up to. During each on-ice session, he always took the time to explain drills carefully to his players and helped support them as they worked to improve their games. He made them feel comfortable and confident in their own abilities and he built strong relationships with the entire, including other members of the coaching staff.

Brent truly made a positive impact on all those he connected with this season.

On behalf of everyone at Hockey Nova Scotia, we would like to congratulate Brent O'Handley on receiving our 2022 Coach of the Year Award (Rec/C-Level).