Lindsay Pennal, Executive Director of the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association, presents Trevor Blevins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melfort Mustangs the Darcy Haugan/Mark Cross Memorial Award, emblematic of CJHL Coach of the Year at the NHL Global Coaches’ Clinic, presented by Catapult, in Toronto on Saturday, June 14 (photo credit/NHL Coaches’ Association)

By Ben Tompkins

Coach of the Year

Blevins, Mustangs honoured at NHL Global Coaches Clinic

Jun 18, 2025 | 2:00 PM

Melfort Mustangs Head Coach Trevor Blevins and assistant coach Tye Scherger were in Toronto over the weekend, attending the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association (NHLCA) Global Coaches Clinic.

There, Blevins received his Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Coach of the Year honours, the Darcy Haugan/Mark Cross Memorial Award.

“It was an absolute honour to be named the CJHL Coach of the Year this past season… with an individual award in a team sport, there are many people that share in this award: family, staff, the Mustangs’ board of directors, our volunteers, fans and most importantly, the players,” stated Blevins in a CJHL press release.

“I had the pleasure to coach against Darcy and Mark, and they are truly remembered as men with high-level character and integrity.”

The global coaches clinic allowed both Blevins and Scherger to have round table discussions with nine different NHL coaches for 30 minutes apiece, on any topics they wanted to.

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Defensive zone coverages, penalty kill, team culture, offensive zone looks, and many different structures were discussed.

“It was a huge learning opportunity, we took multiple things from every session, it was very educational and well worth it, and I’d recommend any coach at any level to take part in these clinics,” Blevins added.

“To experience so much knowledge from quality coaches and people was a highlight for Tye [Scherger] and myself. We appreciate the NHL Coaches’ Association in supporting an award like this that gives Junior A coaches across the CJHL an opportunity to learn and develop.”

Some of the coaches included 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Head Coach Claude Julien, Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Rob Zettler, Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Trent Yawney, and Buffalo Sabres assistant coach Matt Ellis.

Julien was the bench boss for Boston in 2011, which just so happens to be Blevins’ favourite team.

“[Julien] talked a lot about the situation that year and how he got the team to buy into playing a little more defensive structure and how that was a secret to success for that group,” Blevins continued.

“This coach of the year award was Scherger’s as much as anybody’s, so for him to be able to share these experiences, I know he enjoyed it, and he deserves the recognition and the opportunity to sit at those tables.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8