CANADIAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
CJHL Media Update
Release Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Rockland Nationals (CCHL) Justin Pereira named 2025-26 recipient of the Darcy Haugan/Mark Cross Memorial Award, CJHL Coach of the Year, presented by the NHL Coaches’ Association
TORONTO – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), in conjunction with the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association (NHLCA), announced Wednesday that Justin Pereira of the Rockland Nationals (CCHL) has been named the 2025-26 recipient of the Darcy Haugan/Mark Cross Memorial Award, presented by the NHLCA, emblematic of CJHL Coach of the Year.
Awarded annually by the CJHL and NHLCA, this distinguished honour serves in memory of Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) head coach Darcy Haugan and assistant Mark Cross, who were among those who sadly lost their lives following the tragic events of April 6, 2018.
Pereira, a native of Oakville, Ont., earned the honours over fellow finalists Jonathan Castonguay, Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ); Peter Goulet, Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL); Dwight Hirst, Niverville Nighthawks (MJHL) and Shawn Martin, Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL), via a voting process completed by the CJHL’s nine-member leagues, for their respective efforts during the regular season.
As the recipient of the award, Pereira, and his club, will also receive the following:
• CAD $5,000 contribution to the Rockland Nationals on behalf of the NHLCA
• CAD $5,000 worth of Bauer equipment to the team on behalf of Bauer Hockey
• Pereira, along with one of his assistant coaches, are invited as honourary guests of the NHLCA to attend the 2026 NHLCA Global Coaches’ Clinic, presented by Catapult, taking place in Pittsburgh, Penn., on June 12-13
“One of the core responsibilities of our Association is to foster the development of the next generation of NHL coaches,” said Lindsay Pennal, Executive Director of the NHLCA. “Coaches play a critical role in the game, shaping player performance on the ice while supporting their growth off it. As leaders and role models in their communities, their influence extends far beyond the rink. With the ongoing support of our NHL coaches, we are honoured to play a role in helping coaches succeed at every level of the game.”
As the top-ranked team in the final CJHL Top 20 rankings, fuelled by Gatorade, the Nationals held the No. 1 spot for 12 consecutive weeks and never relinquished it from December 15 on.
Pereira’s side finished with an impressive 53-3-0-0 overall record, without losing a single game beyond regulation time.
Their 284 goals scored were 62 more than the next closest league team, while Rockland boasted a CCHL-best plus-159 goal differential.
The Nationals’ power play led the CCHL at 29.9%, and their penalty kill ranked second at 88%.
Pereira was earlier named CCHL Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, an achievement accomplished only four times in league history.
“We know hockey provides more than fun and exercise. The sport teaches life skills, develops leaders, and builds character through teamwork. Coaches play a critical role in that development, serving as role models who meet athletes where they are and help guide them at every stage of their journey,” said Mary-Kay Messier, Chief Marketing Officer, Bauer Hockey. “At Bauer, we are proud to partner with the NHLCA to recognize the importance of coaches in our game, both for what they do on the ice and for the impact they have off it. For so many athletes, a coach is one of the most influential people in their lives.”
With files from Kevin Ferguson, Director of Hockey Operations (CCHL)
ABOUT THE NHL COACHES’ ASSOCIATION: The NHL Coaches’ Association is the professional organization that provides support and assistance to the head, assistant, goaltending and video coaches of the 32 teams in the National Hockey League. The NHLCA and its members seek to develop future coaches, give back to the hockey community, and grow the game of hockey globally. One of the Association’s primary objectives is to help develop all hockey coaches from the youth level up to the highest levels of hockey, as the NHLCA strongly believes that coaches are important leaders within their communities, serving as role models at every level of the game.
Photo credit: Robert Lefebvre / icelevel.com
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