Wildcats' MacDougall named Canadian Hockey League coach of the year
Gardiner MacDougall, whose seamless transition from coaching university hockey to the major junior ranks resulted in another championship for the Moncton Wildcats, was named the Brian Kilrea Trophy winner as Canadian Hockey League coach of the year Friday in Toronto.
Article content
In his first year behind the Wildcats' bench after retiring from 24 seasons as head coach at the University of New Brunswick Reds men's hockey team, MacDougall led the Wildcat to a franchise record campaign that resulted in a 53-9-2-0 regular-season record and a 16-3 slate en route to winning the Gilles Courteau Trophy as QMJHL champions in May.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The impressive credentials produced regular-season franchise records for most wins (53), most points (108), fewest regulation losses (9), fewest goals against (144), and best points percentage (.844).
Article content
Article content
During his career at UNB, MacDougall's teams won nine University Cup titles, including back-to-back crowns in 2023 and 2024, the latter an undefeated season that culminated with the title in Toronto. He earned hi third U Sports men's hockey coach of the year for that remarkable accomplishment. Several months later, he retired from the UNB post and took over the Wildcats team.
Article content
He led the Cats to their first title since 2010 and advanced to the semifinal of the Memorial Cup in Rimouski.
Article content
The team's winning percentage was the eighth-best all-time in the QMJHL and 10th-best in the CHL since 2000. As all championship teams appears to accomplish, the Wildcats were staunch defensively, yielding the CHL-best defensive showing with a 2.25 goals-against average, which ranked fifth in QMJHL history.
Article content
Article content
MacDougall is the third coach in CHL history to win the CHL coach of the year award in his first season, joining Craig Hartsburg (Guelph Storm, 1995) and Gerard Gallant (Saint John Sea Dogs in 2010).
Article content
In additional to his University Cup success, MacDougall also led the Sea Dogs to the 2022 Memorial Cup when the event was held at TD Station.
Article content
Two other Wildcats were finalists for national CHL awards.
Article content
Berkly Catton of the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL was named the sportsman of the year, a category in which Julius Sumpf of the Cats was a finalist. Newly named Wildcats captain Caleb Desnoyers was a finalist for the Top Prospect award, which went to Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canzone's two-run single helps Mariners beat Guardians 7-2 to get back to .500
SEATTLE (AP) — Dominic Canzone hit a two-run single in the seventh inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-2 on Friday night to move back to .500. Canzone, who was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on June 9, smacked a base hit through the right side of the infield off left-hander Tim Herrin (4-2) to score two during a four-run inning for the Mariners. Randy Arozarena broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single, and rookie Cole Young brought home another run two batters after Canzone's hit with a double to left field. Seattle starter Luis Castillo gave up two runs and three hits in six innings — with both Cleveland runs coming on consecutive solo home runs by Nolan Jones and Steven Kwan in the third inning. Rowdy Tellez had a solo homer in the fourth inning to get the Mariners on the scoreboard, and Jorge Polanco added one in the eighth to cap the scoring. Carlos Vargas (2-5) pitched a scoreless seventh to pick up the win, and Matt Brash gave up one hit in the eighth, and Eduard Bazardo finished up as the Mariners got their fifth win in 18 games. Key moment In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tellez – who homered earlier in the game – rifled a line drive up the middle off Guardians reliever Cade Smith's forehead. Smith stayed in the game, though, and completed a scoreless inning. Key stat Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. With a walk in the sixth inning, Cleveland's Jose Ramirez extended his MLB-best on-base streak to 38 games. It's the longest stretch by an American League player this season, and second in MLB only to the Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (47_. Up next Mariners RHP George Kirby (1-3, 6.53 ERA) will start for on Saturday against Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (4-6, 3.81). ___ AP MLB:
CTV News
8 hours ago
- CTV News
Medicine Hat Tigers superstar Gavin McKenna named CHL Player of the Year
Medicine Hat Tigers' Gavin McKenna (72) looks for the puck during second period Memorial Cup hockey action against the Rimouski Oceanic in Rimouski, Que., on Friday, May 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov Medicine Hat Tigers star Gavin McKenna has been named the best major junior hockey player in the entire Canadian Hockey League. The Yukon native put up 129 points during the regular season, including a record-setting 54-game point-scoring streak. He led the Tigers to within one win of the Memorial Cup, which they lost in the finals to the London Knights. McKenna was only held scoreless three times during the regular season. The 17-year-old becomes the third-youngest player to win the David Branch Award in CHL history, behind Sidney Crosby and John Tavares, who both won it when they were 16. McKenna is the first Medicine Hat Tiger to win the award in franchise history.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Moncton Wildcats coach receives award
Atlantic Watch Gardiner MacDougall from the Moncton Wildcats was named Coach of the Year by the Canadian Hockey League.
