Not only did the head coach and general manager of the North Stars win the SJHL Coach of the Year award, he has now been nominated as one of the best in the Canadian junior hockey scene.
"Im very proud of the organization and everyone who has contributed to this," Kevin Hasselberg said, "You look at the names that are recognized on that list and you're pretty thankful to be recognized that way."
Other nominees are Rick Swan of the Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL), Blake Spiller of the Portage Terriers (MJHL), Fred Harbinson of the Penticton Vees (BCHL), Dustin Treylen of the Brockville Braves (CCHL) and Pierre Petroni of the College Francais de Longueuil (QJHL).
The award criteria is based on the coach's team and individual performance during the regular season. Each of the 10 CJHL leagues submit a candidate for the award and a representative from each league ranks their top five choices from the nominees.
Since taking over behind the bench during the 2011-12 season, the Battlefords North Stars have seen continued success with an overall record of 174-84-10-14. Most recently, the North Stars took home the regular season title for the first time since 1994-95. Fans will see this banner as soon as the next campaign gets underway. Hasselberg led the North Stars to their best winning percentage in the franchise's 42-year history and claimed their second Finning Division title in three seasons.
Hasselberg did a tremendous job of recruiting this year, using a mixture of speed and size en route to a 43-win campaign. He has now reached the 40-win plateau in two of his four years at the helm. Hasselberg was able to get the best out of his skaters under his leadership. Layne Young, Coby Downs and Cody Spagrud were named to the SJHL all-rookie team. Young was named the SJHL rookie of the year, Igor Leonenko put together an impressive campaign (47 goals, 41 assists) and won the Finning Division MVP, Connor Sych was the co-winner for the Finning Division top defenceman, and several players won weekly and monthly awards throughout.
"I speak on behalf of the coaches across the CJHL, we put a lot of work in," Hasselberg said. "We dedicate a lot of time away from families, at the rink and on the road. I guess it's just an accumulation of all of those things ... At the end of the day it's no different than earning the league award. It doesn't come without the support of a great staff, an amazing family and a very supportive wife, and obviously a tremendous organization. When you have all of those things in place, it makes your job a lot easier."
The recipient of the 2016 Coach of the Year award will be announced the week of May 24.
