By: John Humphrey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Michael Kopcok of the Lakeshore Canadiens was named the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Stobbs Division Defenceman of the Year for the 2025-2026 season. The 21-year-old from Belle River was recognized as the best rearguard in the division last month.
The strapping 6’2″, 200-lb. left defenceman was a tower of strength for the Canadiens during the 2025-2026 Provincial Junior Hockey League season and his significant contributions both on and off the ice did not go unnoticed.
“Michael was our most valuable player this season,” said Canadiens longtime general manager, Mark Seguin. “He is one of the most exceptional young men that I have ever been around in my 23 years with the organization.
“If you looked up the word ‘leader’ in the dictionary, you would find Michael’s photo there,” he continued. “I can’t say enough about him. He loves his teammates and would do anything for them.”
Seguin informed his star defenceman of the lofty league award when he went into the Canadiens dressing room after a game against the Dresden Junior Kings at the Atlas Tube Centre on February 24 to make the announcement.
“Michael’s selection was unanimous,” Seguin said. “That is exceptional and is a great indication of how well-respected he is around the league.”
Kopcok played his first season with the Canadiens in the 2025-2026 PJHL season after spending three seasons with the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Hockey League, scored 18 goals and added 30 assists in 41 regular season games to lead the Canadiens in scoring during his first season with his hometown team. He was quick to self-evaluate his own style of play.
“I think I’m a good all-around defenceman,” he offered. “I was more of a defensive, stay at home d during my time in London, but dropping down a level (from jr. B to junior c) has given me the opportunity to play more offensively this season.
“I’ve always had an offensive flair to my game and it has been fun to expand it this season,” he added.
Kopcok was paired for much of 2025-2026 regular season with defence partners Neil Garvey, a fourth-year veteran, and Jordan Maine, a 16-year-old rookie.
“Playing with Neil has given me to jump up offensively and make a run up the ice more than I normally do because I’m confident that he has my back and has me covered defensively,” he claimed. “Being able to mentor Jordan, who is our 16-year-old, both on and off the ice has been fun and I think that I have benefited as much from it as he has learning from me. “Jordan is quite skilled for his age and it has been a pleasure playing with him.”
The decision to return home to play hockey in his hometown this season was an easy one for Kopcok, a full-time Business student at the University of Windsor, to make too.
“There was an ownership change in London and a lot of guys weren’t coming back,” he said. “So, I thought it was a great time to come home and play in front of my family and with some friends.
“My best friends play on the Canadiens, and I wanted to play a season with them.”
And local fans who haven’t had the opportunity to see Michael Kopcok play this season should not feel disappointed, as they will have ample opportunity to see him play a leading role with the Lakeshore Canadiens in 2026-2027.
“We want him to return next season, and he wants to return,” said Mark Seguin. “He is going to be our team captain next season.
“I know that it is March, but you can print that in the newspaper right now,” Seguin continued. “We are going to build a championship around this young man.”
