Braves’ Winchester CCHL Coach of the Year

In this photo from the CCHL, Jesse Winchester is named the CCHL Coach of the Year for the 2017-18 season. Winchester hails from Long Sault, west of Cornwall, Ont. (CCHL via Newswatch Group)

BROCKVILLE – Jesse Winchester has been named the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) Coach of the Year.

The league made the announcement today (March 5).

Winchester, 34, has been the head coach of the Brockville Braves for one season after hanging up his skates in 2014 after eight seasons with the NHL.

“Winch has been the backbone since the beginning for us. He is the best all-around coach I have ever had the opportunity to play for,” Braves goalie Justin Evenson said. “He brings the knowledge of the game, intensity, passion and knows what he expects from guys in order to give it everything you have every night for him.”

Winchester, from the Cornwall, Ont. area, played with the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche.

Before the NHL, Winchester played with the Cornwall Colts for three seasons, as well as the Winchester Hawks before committing to Colgate University.