Gardiner MacDougall, head coach of the Moncton Wildcats, speaks during a community celebration on June 2, 2025. Image: Brad Perry

Gardiner MacDougall named CHL coach of the year

Brad Perry June 16, 2025 5:52 am Last Updated on December 5, 2025 3:29 pm

The head coach of the Moncton Wildcats has snagged yet another major award.

Gardiner MacDougall has been named the Canadian Hockey League’s coach of the year.

MacDougall is the first coach in the Wildcats franchise history to receive the honour.

He is also only the third head coach in CHL history to win the award in their first year.

MacDougall, who was also named QMJHL coach of the year, led the Wildcats through a record-breaking campaign.

The team had a franchise record of 53 wins and 108 points, and led the QMJHL in offence and defence, as well as penalty kill efficiency.

The Wildcats also won their first QMJHL championship title since the 2005-06 season.

Brad Perry

Brad Perry is an award-winning news anchor and reporter and a 2013 graduate of the NBCC journalism program. Based in New Brunswick, he is also the assistant national news director for Acadia Broadcasting. Contact Brad at perry.brad@radioabl.ca.

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