Published Jun 14, 2025 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 4 minute readCharlottetown Islanders defenceman and assistant cpatain Max Jardine was named the 2024-25 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) humanitarian of the year in Toronto on June 13. Jardine became the first player in Islanders’ franchise history to win the humanitarian-of-the-year award, which recognizes a player who has made a notable contribution to his community. The CHL awards feature finalists from all three Canadian major-junior hockey leagues – Quebec Maritimes, Ontario and Western. Josh Kim/CHL Photo by Josh Kim /Canadian Hockey LeagueCharlottetown Islanders defenceman Max Jardine made franchise history while P.E.I.’s Gardiner MacDougall joined select company at the 2025 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Awards Luncheon in Toronto on June 13.Jardine became the first Islanders’ player to be named the CHL humanitarian of the year, which is presented annually to a “player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community,” noted a media release.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“It’s a great honour,” said Jardine during a media availability after accepting the award. “It’s hard to take credit for it all.“A big thanks primarily to the Charlottetown Islanders for making all this possible and to Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish and Crime Stoppers for getting me involved this year. I’m happy to do it.”MacDougall. from Bedeque, is only the third winner of the Brian Kilrea Trophy as coach of the year in their first year with a CHL team along with fellow Prince Edward Islander Gerard (Turk) Gallant of Summerside and Craig Hartsburg. Gallant won the award with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 2009-10 season while Hartsburg accomplished the feat in the 1994-95 campaign with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).The coach-of-the-year award honours Kilrea, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who coached the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s for 32 seasons and is the winningest coach in CHL history.Article content“It’s obviously a historic, significant honour when you look at the names on the trophy; just the tradition of that,” said MacDougall.FINALISTSThe CHL awards feature the award winners from the QMJHL, OHL and Western Hockey League (WHL). Jardine and MacDougall were named the QMJHL winners for their respective awards in Quebec City on June 5.Islanders general manager and head coach Jim Hulton said Jardine winning the national award is “an extremely proud moment” for the entire organization.“This is the type of representation we want from all of our players,” said Hulton. “A big hats off to Anna (Friedrich) in our office, who does a terrific job with the community programming.“To add someone like Max, who is so willing to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes. speaks volumes of his character and certainly makes all of us proud.”Article contentJardine is the third Islanders’ player in the last four seasons to be nominated for CHL humanitarian of the year, following in the footsteps of former Islanders forward and team captain Brett Budgell and current Charlottetown defenceman and team captain Marcus Kearsey.“(Giving back to the community is) something I love doing,” said Jardine. “I really don’t feel I have to do it; it’s something I really want to do and get my teammates involved.“I hope when I leave Charlottetown some guys will pick it up and carry on the tradition.”The 20-year-old Jardine worked with several charitable organizations during the 2024-25 season. Jardine hosted Special Olympics P.E.I. athletes at Islanders’ home games, and was also active with anti-bullying campaigns with Crime Stoppers. Jardine also worked with Make-A-Wish Foundation and gave freely of his time helping out at minor hockey practices across P.E.I.Article contentJardine, who said one of the biggest rewards from working with these organizations is seeing inclusiveness, also benefits from his interactions with the Special Olympics athletes, who he meets following games.“It doesn’t matter of the outcome, they are always going to be happy to see you,” said Jardine, who also plays senior baseball with the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders and helps out at practices for youth ball teams. “It kind of takes your mind away from the game.“It reminds you fun is part of hockey, too. I think it kind of gets lost at the junior and pro level at times.“I think you are playing your best when you are having fun and you are obviously having fun when you are around Special Olympics (athletes) and Make-A-Wish (children).” Moncton Wildcats head coach Gardiner MacDougall won the Brian Kilrea Trophy for Canadian Hockey League (CHL) coach of the year on June 13. MacDougall, from Bedeque, accepted the award in Toronto. MacDougall, from Bedeque, P.E.I., guided the Wildcats to their first Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) championship in 15 years recently. Josh Kim/CHL Photo by Josh Kim /Canadian Hockey LeagueCOACHING AWARDMacDougall said being recognized as coach of the year is not an individual award, and praised the efforts and contributions of his assistant coaches and support staff.Article content“Sometimes it’s the coach of the year; I think it should be the staff of the year,” said MacDougall during his media availability. “I had such a great staff in Moncton this year.“It was one of those really special seasons obviously, but I was just so fortunate to have so many great staff members. But nothing happens without the team and the players we had were amazing this year.”MacDougall guided the Wildcats to a record-setting 2024-25 season. Under MacDougall’s leadership, the Wildcats set franchise records for wins (53), points (108), regulation losses (9), goals against (144), and points percentage (.844).The Wildcats also won the franchise’s third QMJHL championship – and first in 15 years. At the Memorial Cup, the Wildcats were eliminated in the semifinal game by the eventual-champion London Knights of the OHL.MacDougall said a big part of a successful team trust between the players and coaches.Article content“I think in Moncton we found that nice happy medium,” said MacDougall, who joined the Wildcats after winning nine Canadian men’s university hockey championships in 24 seasons with the UNB Reds. “We had a lot of connection first and when you get connection you get trust. I thought a lot of players had career-best seasons.”MacDougall said another big part of the Wildcats’ success is the players and staff are given every opportunity to succeed. MacDougall said that is because of Wildcats president Robert K. Irving, who he calls the best owner in the CHL.“He’s an amazing, passionate person,” said MacDougall about Irving. “Twenty-nine years he’s been with Moncton and every day he comes he brings so much energy; it’s all about the team; it’s all about providing the environment and the culture for players to be at their absolute best. So, I’ve been really fortunate.”Jason Simmonds is the sports editor at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
Defenceman becomes first Islander to be named humanitarian of the year; MacDougall joins select coaching company
