Hockey Nova Scotia is proud to announce that Chebucto Atlantics Minor Hockey Association coach Dante Manuel is the winner of our 2021 Jacques Comeau Coach of the Year Award.

The Jacques Comeau Coach of the Year Award is presented annually in memory of longtime minor hockey coach Jacques Comeau who passed away in 2014. Jacques was a volunteer with the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association for many years and was known for always exhibiting the qualities of dedication, respect and fair play while behind the bench.

A former captain of Chebucto’s U18 AA team, Dante, with the encouragement and support of the team’s head coach Eric Caines, turned his sights to coaching in 2018. A talented hockey player and athlete, he quickly adapted to his new role behind the bench.

With Dante on the team staff, the club went on to win back-to-back league championships, something that had never been done by a Chebucto U18 AA squad before.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Dante and his club dealt with significant adversity when Eric became ill. Dante and the Atlantics persevered, however, and captured their second-straight league title. After the win, Dante and a group of players took the banner and league trophy to the head coach in the hospital.

Tragically, Eric passed away during the offseason.

When the time came to begin the 2020-21 season, Dante was selected to take over as head coach. A confident young man, he is looked to as leader by a group of players who are only a few years younger than he is. Throughout a challenging season, he gained the respect and admiration of his team.

Those who know him well say the 22-year-old is mature beyond his years and they believe he truly represents the best of the Chebucto Atlantics Minor Hockey Association.

On behalf of everyone at Hockey Nova Scotia, we would like to congratulate Dante Manuel on receiving our 2021 Jacques Comeau Coach of the Year Award.