The Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) is excited to announce the winners of the Staff of the Month Award for February: Jason Zhang, Chelsea Dinnin & Jessie Leung.
This award is aimed at recognizing the incredible coaches within the CSSHL and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership and impact on the game both on and off the ice.
We would like to congratulate these staff members, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of February.
East Division: Jason Zhang, CIH Academy
“Jason is an integral part of our staff and keeps our student-athletes healthy and on the ice. Jason is on campus every day to assess injuries and provide treatment as needed to not only our U17 and U18 Prep teams, but to all our teams in our program, overseeing approximately 95 student-athletes. Jason is also at every CSSHL home and road game as well as our out of town tournaments.”
Female Division: Chelsea Dinnin, Balmoral Hall School
“Chelsea has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to our athletes. Her positive energy, strong work ethic, and ability to connect with players have made a meaningful impact on both individual development and overall team performance. She goes above and beyond in her role as assistant coach, always stepping up to support the team and contribute to our program’s success.
I strongly believe she is deserving of this recognition and appreciate your consideration of her nomination. She is also a big advocate for the Female game with her @DreamHockey account on Instagram.”
Male Division: Jessie Leung, Okanagan Hockey Academy
“It is with great enthusiasm that we nominate Jessie Leung for the CSSHL Western U15 Coach of the Month award. In his first year as Head Coach of the U15 team, Jessie continues to bring the skills and experience he developed during his time as Head Coach of our U17 Prep team. From day one, he has made an immediate and meaningful impact on his players both on and off the ice.
One of Jessie’s greatest strengths is his genuine commitment to building meaningful relationships with his players. He invests the time to understand each athlete individually, fostering a sense of trust and camaraderie within the group that translates directly into a cohesive, connected team environment.
Jessie’s approach to coaching is defined by his attention to detail and organizational excellence. He comes prepared, runs purposeful practices, and holds his players to clear team standards and habits. His ability to establish a culture of accountability and consistency has elevated the day-to-day performance and professionalism of his entire program.
Communication is another area where Jessie truly stands out. Whether he is delivering instruction on the ice, providing feedback to players, or engaging with parents and staff, Jessie is clear, thoughtful, and respectful in everything he does. His players always know where they stand and what is expected of them.
Perhaps most telling of his character is the way Jessie shows up for those around him. He is a true team player — always willing to step in and support fellow coaches and staff whenever and wherever he is needed, without hesitation.”
