CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada has confirmed the dates and host communities for seven events taking place during the 2023-24 season, including the return of the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

“Today is an exciting day for Hockey Canada as we announce seven events that play a critical role in the development of men’s, women’s and para hockey athletes, coaches and staff,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “We hope that hosting these tournaments will help introduce new fans to the game, create lifelong memories for Canadians and have a positive impact in each community long after the medals have been handed out.”

The 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be played Nov. 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, PE, marking the first time in the tournament’s 37-year history that it will be hosted in the province.

Featuring some of the best young women’s hockey players in Canada, the 2023 National Women’s Under-18 Championship will run Nov. 5-11 in Dawson Creek, BC, bringing the event back to the Peace Region for the first time since 2012.

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will compete for gold with three other countries at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup, which will be held Dec. 3-9 in Quispamsis, NB, marking the fourth Hockey Canada event that Quispamsis has hosted.

Top Canadian and international players will be showcased at the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge from Dec. 10-17 in Truro, NS, as the tournament returns to Atlantic Canada for the fourth time and to Truro for the second time.

In the spring, Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship will be decided at the Esso Cup in Vernon, BC from April 21-27, while the Men’s U18 National Club Championship will be played April 22-28 in Membertou, NS.

The best Junior A teams in Canada will take to the ice at the 2024 Centennial Cup in Oakville, ON, with the Oakville Blades hosting the national championship from May 9-19.

“We are thrilled to share the list of communities that will host Hockey Canada events during the 2023-24 season,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of strategic partnerships and community impact. “The support we have received from host committees has been outstanding and we are confident that participants, volunteers, partners and fans will have fantastic experiences at each tournament.”

Ticket information for all seven events can be found here. Tournament schedules will be announced at a later date. 

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the dates and host communities for six events taking place during the 2022-23 season, including the return of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup and World Junior A Challenge for the first time since 2019.

The communities of Langley and Delta, B.C., will host the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Nov. 5-12, bringing some of the top young players in the world to Metro Vancouver.

The 2022 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup will run from Nov. 27-Dec. 3 in Bridgewater, N.S., marking the first time that the event has been held in the Maritimes since 2016.

A showcase of Canadian and international Junior A talent, the 2022 World Junior A Challenge will take place in Cornwall, Ont., from Dec. 11-18.

Two of Hockey Canada’s national championships will return to their typical April schedule in 2023, with the puck dropping at the Esso Cup in Prince Albert, Sask., on April 23 and the TELUS Cup beginning April 24 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.

The Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be hosted in Portage la Prairie, Man., in May 2023, bringing Canada’s National Junior A Championship to Manitoba for a fourth time.

“We are excited to announce the host communities for six events taking place in 2022-23, and we cannot wait to bring some of the top hockey events in the world to fans across Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “Hosting events of this magnitude would not be possible without our incredible local partners, and we are very grateful for their support as we count down to puck drop.”

Tickets are available now for the 2022 World Junior A Challenge in Cornwall, Ont., at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, while on-sale dates for the remaining events will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, become a Hockey Canada Insider, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has partnered with BDO to expand the local legacies of its national and international events through the launch of the BDO Goals for Kids program.

Every season, Hockey Canada brings three international events – the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge – as well as four national championships – the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Esso Cup, TELUS Cup, and RBC Cup – to new communities across the country. The net proceeds from those events remains in the host communities as a legacy to allow them to invest in growing the game locally.

Working with its new international marketing partner, BDO, Hockey Canada is expanding that legacy through BDO Goals for Kids – a program that will see $50 for every goal scored at a national championship, and $100 for every goal scored by Team Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge – go back to the minor hockey association in that community to assist with offsetting equipment and registration costs for young players.

“Every season, at least seven communities welcome us and our athletes, and help us deliver success on and off the ice through our events. As part of our thank-you to those volunteers, we leave a financial legacy in the host communities to provide them with further resources to grow Canada’s game locally,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer for Hockey Canada. “BDO has shared in our passion for the game as an event partner with our IIHF events hosted on Canadian ice since 2012. We are excited to have them join us as an international marketing partner, and thankful for their support of the future of Canadian hockey through BDO Goals for Kids.”

Jim Krahn, the Calgary office managing partner for BDO, joined Hockey Canada and young minor hockey players as well as media personalities in Calgary on Wednesday to officially launch BDO Goals for Kids, and make the program’s first donation. A kick-off ball hockey game was hosted at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre, the home of Hockey Canada in Calgary; the young players and participating members of the media put their best moves on display, helping deliver a BDO Goals for Kids donation of $1,000 to minor hockey in the city.

“As fans of the game, we couldn’t be more delighted to partner with Hockey Canada,” said Pat Kramer, CEO of BDO Canada. “Hockey is such an important part of Canadian culture, integral to communities from coast to coast. The inclusion of the BDO Goals for Kids program allows us to give back to these communities and help ensure more kids get the chance to play and develop their skills.”

The first two events where on-ice goals will count towards BDO Goals for Kids come in November when Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., co-host the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and Quebec City welcomes the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

About Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 member associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada; provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast to coast; manages numerous regional, national, and international hockey championships and events; and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international ice hockey competition. Hockey Canada’s mission is to “lead, develop, and promote positive hockey experiences.” For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About BDO
BDO is a leading provider of professional services to clients of all sizes in virtually all business sectors. Our team delivers a comprehensive range of assurance, accounting, tax, and advisory services, complemented by a deep industry knowledge gained from nearly 100 years working within local communities. As part of the international BDO network, we’re able to provide seamless and consistent cross-border services to clients with global needs.

A deep sense of pride swept over Conrad Haché at the sight of his son Braden garbed in the stripes of a hockey referee for the first time.

He was bearing witness to his child following in his footsteps. Conrad, the director of officiating with the Ontario Hockey League since 2007, served as a National Hockey League official from 1994 to 2001.

Since making his Saturday-morning debut in a game a few seasons ago in his hometown of Newmarket, Ont., the younger Haché has officiated close to 50 Novice and Atom contests – while also pursuing his playing career, which is thriving.

After starring in Minor Midget AAA for the York-Simcoe Express last season, Haché was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, taken 63rd overall by the Kingston Frontenacs, and earned an invite to Canada’s national under-17 development camp this week in Calgary.

Adding officiating to his résumé was a case of a father’s passion rubbing off on his son.

“My dad loved being a referee so much that it inspired me to want to do it, too,” says the 16-year-old defenceman.

While parents hurling insults in his direction caught Haché off guard at first, his father, who became a referee himself at 14, said his son has quickly developed a strong on-ice presence as an official.

“He has a thick skin and he understands every facet of the game so well that he has done well as an official,” Conrad says.

Stepping into the skates of a referee has made an impact on Haché’s playing career. While he doesn’t label himself as someone who once routinely protests calls, he says being a referee has encouraged him to exhibit even more respect towards officials.

Greater on-ice discipline and a strengthened bond with his father are two of the gifts officiating has given Braden. Being around wide-eyed young hockey players is another.

“It is great to be around these kids and to have an opportunity to teach them more about things like face-offs and offsides,” he says. “Their passion and energy do rub off on me.”

In addition to his officiating duties, Haché gives back to the game by instructing younger players at hockey camps and learn-to-skate programs.

“The game gives you so much that it is important to give back,” his father says. “If you can give back at that [young] age it is even better as the younger players look up to them. Some of the Novice players were so excited when they heard he was going to be drafted as a player as they only knew him as a referee.”

Haché isn’t sure what his level of involvement in officiating will be next season. Turning 16 years old makes him eligible to referee Peewee games, but a potential rookie OHL season with the Frontenacs will take priority.

Whether he is on the ice next season or not, Haché is grateful for having another avenue to be in the game for life – just like his dad.

TRURO, Nova Scotia – For the first time since 2017, Team Canada West has won the gold medal at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, claiming its sixth gold with a 7-2 win over Team Canada East on Sunday at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre.

Jack Silverberg (Sherwood Park, AB/Okotoks, AJHL) opened the scoring 1:10 into the game, setting the table for a seven-goal outburst from Canada West, the most goals scored in the gold medal game since the United States scored seven in 2008.

Ronan Buckberger (Saskatoon, SK/Nipawin, SJHL) and Matthew Van Blaricom (Southey, SK/Humboldt, SJHL) each scored twice, while Erick Roest (Lethbridge, AB/Sherwood Park, AJHL) turned aside 30 shots for the win.

“This win today truly shows the character of this team,” said Canada West head coach Scott Barney (Oshawa, ON/Humboldt, SJHL). “We had a tough start to this tournament, but we had some deep heart-to-heart conversations with the players and staff and we got everyone pulling on the same rope. Guys bought in to the right way to play and this is a great feeling.”

Canada West snuck into the playoff round with only a single win in the preliminary round, before stunning the undefeated United States in overtime in Saturday’s semifinals.

Jack Silverberg (Sherwood Park, AB/Okotoks, AJHL), Nathan Brown (Winnipeg, MB/Niverville, MJHL) and Layne Loomer (Lethbridge, AB/Blackfalds, AJHL) rounded out the scoring for Canada West.           

“This is an amazing feeling,” said Van Blaricom. “It is hard to believe really with how we started this tournament, but it’s truly crazy how far we came as a team to get to this point. When you look around that [dressing] room, we knew we had a tough road to get here, but all we needed was a chance and we made it count.”

Trevor Hoskin (Bellville, ON/Cobourg, OJHL) and Vincent Gauthier (St-Zotique, QC/Valleyfield, LHJAAAQ) scored for Canada East, which collected its eighth silver medal.

Full gold medal game stats are available HERE on the Hockey Canada website.

Earlier Sunday, the United States earned its fourth bronze medal with an 8-5 win over Sweden. Trevor Connelly scored four goals, including a hat trick in the first period, to power the U.S. to victory. Connelly because just the third player to score four goals in a game at the tournament, joining Kyle Turris (2006) and Ty Daneault (2022).

For more information on the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Instagram, Facebook or X.

He’ll wear the Maple Leaf for the first time this week, but Simon Mullen is no stranger to the World Junior A Hockey Challenge.

“When I was in my second year of [U13], I volunteered with my brother Owen and his [U15] team as part of the ice crew for the tournament in 2017,” Mullen recalls. “It was a huge experience for me, especially at that young age. I would look up and see these junior guys and think they’re so much older and see how good they are, and now here I am in that position.”

Mullen is the lone local product to crack the Team Canada East lineup for the 2023 edition of the tournament, and just the second Bearcat ever – joining Stephen Horyl, who had a goal and four points in four games to help East to silver in 2008.

But unlike Horyl, who came to the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) team by way of River Ryan, Nova Scotia, Mullen is Truro through and through – a born and raised product of the community, on and off the ice.

From learning to skate at the local Deuville’s Rink to his first years of U7 hockey with the Truro and Area Minor Hockey Association, the 18-year-old has spent all but one year of his career at home – he played the 2020-21 season with the Pictou County Majors of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League.

“Truro is a special place,” the defenceman says. “I’ve played every single year of hockey here except one, so to have a chance to play at an international level, this is special.”

Never one known for his offensive contributions from the blue line, Mullen has instead focused on work ethic and playing the right way in his own zone. But the offence has started to come this season – his 20 points (1-19—20) in 23 games are as many as he had in 82 games combined in his first two seasons with the Bearcats.

He also played his 100th MHL game a few weeks ago, becoming the youngest defenceman in Bearcats history to reach the century mark.

His improvement is most evident to the ones who have seen his career evolve.

“He has a quiet confidence in him that allows him to be proud of what he’s accomplishing,” says Ainsley Mullen, Simon’s mother. “The fact that he’s chosen to stay home is an added feather in the cap and shows that he’s proud to be from here and represent the Bearcats. This full-circle opportunity to represent Team Canada in Truro is a pat on his back for that commitment to play at such a high level while staying in Truro.”

Despite getting that taste of international hockey six years ago, when he had a front-row seat to Team Canada West claiming its most recent World Junior A Challenge gold medal at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, Mullen wasn’t sure where hockey would take him.

It wasn’t until his rookie season with the Bearcats in 2021-22 that everything truly began to fall into place.

“In my 16-year-old year, I didn’t have many goals or expectations, but I ended up playing a lot of games around really good coaches and leaders and they led the way for me,” Mullen recalls of helping Truro reach the MHL final. “Now as I’m older, I want to bring those habits and work ethic into my game now and work with the younger guys and in the community.”

Talking to Mullen, there’s that one word that keeps coming up – community. He knows he wouldn’t be where he is without the people around him, and he has never hesitated to give back to a town that has long been behind him.

He volunteers his time alongside his Bearcats teammates with local minor hockey programs during the season, and pays it forward in the summer when he’s not working at the local golf course.

But there’s no better way to say thank you to Truro than by giving his all during the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, and hopefully adding a gold medal – which would be the first ever for Team Canada East.

“There’s no words to explain the moment I step on the ice with Canada here,” Mullen says. “Seeing all the kids with the signs and looking down at the logo on the jersey, it’s just something you dream of. I’m going to do my best out there and hopefully open some eyes.”

CALGARY, Alberta – Team Canada East and Team Canada West have announced their final rosters ahead of the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, and 44 of the top Junior A players in Canada will wear the Maple Leaf in Truro, Nova Scotia, Dec. 10-17 .

The players named to Canada East were selected from the five eastern leagues in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) - the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) and Maritime Hockey League (MHL). Canada West selected its players from CJHL’s four western leagues - the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

Canada East’s 22-player roster was selected by head coach Billy McGuigan (Summerside, PE/Summerside, MHL) , alongside director of operations Chris Vanstone (Mississauga, ON/Ontario Junior Hockey League) . Assistant coaches Peter Goulet (Kingston, ON/Powassan, NOJHL) , Derek Smith (Belleville, ON/Trenton, OJHL) and Josh Hardiman (Montréal, QC/Powassan, NOJHL) also provided input.

“We feel the team we have assembled gives us an excellent opportunity to be competitive every game,” said Canada East head coach Billy McGuigan, “There is a tremendous amount of talent across this country and narrowing it down to two teams of twenty-two players is no easy task. Our staff and this group of players is eager to play for a gold medal on the world stage in Atlantic Canada.”

Canada West’s 22-player roster was selected by head coach Scott Barney (Oshawa, ON/Humboldt, SJHL) and director of operations Nigel Dube (Lampman, SK/Lloydminster, AJHL) , alongside assistant coaches Alex Mandolidis (Calgary, AB/Winnipeg, MJHL), Kelvin Cech (Edmonton, AB/Niverville, MJHL), and video coach Bryan Arneson (Sherwood Park, AB/Canmore, AJHL).

“Our staff has done a great job of identifying the top players in Western Canada,” said Canada West head coach Scott Barney, “We are excited to get to Nova Scotia and compete against the world. This is an amazing opportunity for these young men and something we as a staff want to reiterate every day. It is not every day you get to wear the maple leaf so take advantage of it, enjoy it, and play the game that got you here.”

In addition to the 44 players, the support staff that will work with Canada East and Canada West at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge have been announced.

• Athletic therapist Leah Toffelmire (Treton, ON/Trenton, OJHL)
• Athletic therapist / Equipment manager Samantha Delsing (Cochrane, AB/Drumheller, AJHL)
• Physiotherapist Justin Giesbrecht (Niverville, MB/Niverville, MJHL)
• Physiotherapist / Equipment manager Caitlin McCuaig (Frankford, ON/Wellington, OJHL
• Equipment managers Carmelo Pugliese (Ottawa, ON/Ottawa, CCJHL) and Jason Savill (Leduc, AB/Flin Flon, SJHL)

Canada West will kick off the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge against Sweden on Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m. AT, followed by Canada East facing off against Slovakia at 7:30 p.m. AT. The top four teams will advance to the playoff round, with the medal games taking place at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. AT on Dec. 17.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the gold medal game. All preliminary-round games, both semifinals and the bronze medal game will be livestreamed at HockeyCanada.ca .

The 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Hockey Nova Scotia, NHL Central Scouting and the local organizing committee. The five-team format includes Team Canada East, Team Canada West, Slovakia, Sweden and the United States.

Full-event ticket packages for the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge are now available for $192 and can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets . The package includes one ticket to all 14 games, including both medal games.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca , or follow along via social media on Facebook , X and Instagram .

From Zack Rose’s dominant performances between the pipes to Dylan Holloway’s international impact as a 16-year-old and Jacob Bernard-Docker’s steady confidence on the blue line, there are plenty of memorable moments from the last time the World Junior A Hockey Challenge came to Truro, Nova Scotia, in 2017.

The trio played key roles in leading Canada West to the gold medal, and the experience on the East Coast has stayed with them as they’ve moved on in their hockey journeys.

Rose – who earned MVP honours in 2017 – is in his fifth year of NCAA eligibility with Augustana University, having fashioned a 20-10-4 record in the college games; Holloway went 14th overall to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2020 NHL Draft; and Bernard-Docker was the 26th pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2018.

But what ended up as a golden moment for Canada West didn’t start very well at all; losses to Czechia and the United States left the westerners 0-2 in preliminary-round play and needing to find their game with the playoff round looming.

“We had a rocky start, but we figured things out after the round robin,” Bernard-Docker says. “Having that necessary step of losing those first two games, the team came together as a tight knit group and had fun, really enjoyed the home crowd and turned it around.”

The winless prelims set up an all-Canadian matchup in the quarterfinals against Canada East. West got off to a strong start, with Holloway finding captain Carter Turnbull in the slot to open the scoring six minutes into the game before Bernard-Docker joined the offence 67 seconds into the second period when his his centre-ice dump took a bounce off the end boards and past Canada East goaltender Jett Alexander.

Canada East wouldn’t back down, taking the lead in the third period when Nick Campoli and Jack McBain (a 2022 Olympian) gave it a 3-2 advantage, but Ross Armour tied the game with 6:31 left in regulation before scoring the overtime winner 42 seconds into the extra period to second West on to the semifinals.

The semifinal proved that Canada West was getting better as the games got more important, as it avenged its prelim loss by defeating the Czechs 5-1 . The game was a goaltending battle early, with Rose and Milan Kloucek combining to stop 36 of 37 shots through 40 minutes.

Zdenek Sendek tied things midway through the third period, but Angus Crookshank restored the West advantage 41 seconds after that, and Holloway, Brett Stapley and Brendan Budy helped the Canadians pull away late.

The semifinal success set up a gold medal game showdown against the United States, which had claimed four of the previous five tournament titles.

“The rivalry between U.S and Canada, nothing compares to that rivalry, and that’s something you dream of being in as a kid,” Rose says. “To be a part of that and dominate against them, it speaks to the talent we had on that roster and the leadership of the coaching staff. To come out on top, we played one game at a time and we didn’t look back once we had the opportunity in front of us.”

Brendan Budy got the festivities started with a shorthanded marker midway through the first period, and Crookshank and Corey Andonovski pushed the Canadian advantage to 3-0 by the 12:15 mark of the second. The Americans got one back before the intermission, but Armour and Holloway capped the scoring and finish off a 5-1 victory .

Rose saved his best for the playoff round; he stopped 79 of 84 (a .940 save percentage) in wins over East, the Czechs and Americans, capped by a spectacular 35-save effort in the gold medal game, where West was outshot 36-19.

“The experience was electric throughout the time in Truro, and especially for the final game against the U.S,” Holloway says. “It was my first time in the Maritimes, the crowd was packed, everyone was cheering for us. To play the way I did, it was an honour to play for Canada and put me on the radar with all the eyes that come to the tournament.”

Bernard-Docker adds, “At that point, I just wanted to improve and get better after my first year with Okotoks [in the AJHL] and prepare myself the best I could for college. That tournament put me on the map and helped me gain confidence, realizing I could play with the best players around.”

Rose is forever grateful for the opportunity to represent his country. Offering his advice for those playing in the tournament, he hopes players take time to soak in the whole experience.

“For most people, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Rose says. “Take in every moment because it’s so special to play for Canada. Beyond that, I was a player who didn’t have a [college] commitment going into that tournament, but playing a few good games turned that around and I got offered a scholarship to go to Bowling Green and I gained the confidence and the lessons from the coaching staff to play at that level.”

The World Junior A Hockey Challenge continues to be a tournament that sets a foundation for a lucky few Junior A players across the country. Not only do players gain experience, but they have memories to cherish for a lifetime.

“Thinking of all the history with that logo on your chest, nothing can beat it,” Rose says. “Being able to represent millions of Canadians on the world stage, there is no better hockey country than Canada, and to be able to be one of the lucky people to wear that jersey, there is no better feeling. It gives me chills just thinking back to it.”

The 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge gets underway Dec. 10 at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. Looking to be part of the festivities in Truro? Tickets are now on sale at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets .

CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada has announced that eight Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) coaches have been selected to lead Team Canada East and Team Canada West at the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia this December.

Billy McGuigan (Summerside, PE/Summerside, MHL) returns to Team Canada East as head coach for the second-straight year after winning a silver medal in 2022. He will be joined by assistant coaches Peter Goulet (Kingston, ON/Powassan, NOJHL) , Derek Smith (Belleville, ON/Trenton, OJHL) and Josh Hardiman (Montréal, QC/Powassan, NOJHL) . Hardiman will be making his international coaching debuts, while Goulet and Smith served as assistant coaches with Team Canada East in 2018 and 2022 respectively.

For Team Canada West, Scott Barney (Oshawa, ON/Humboldt, SJHL) returns to the bench to take the reins as a head coach after serving as an assistant in 2019. He will be joined by assistant coaches Alex Mandolidis (Calgary, AB/Winnipeg, MJHL) , Kelvin Cech (Edmonton, AB/Niverville, MJHL) and Bryan Arneson (Sherwood Park, AB/Canmore, AJHL) who will all make their international coaching debuts in Truro.

“The coaches selected to lead Team Canada East and Team Canada West are an excellent representation of the level of talent within the coaching ranks of Junior A hockey in Canada,” said Andy Harkness, president of the CJHL. “All eight of these individuals bring a wealth of coaching and playing experience both internationally and in Canada. It is an honour for them to be named to these positions, and we look forward to them guiding our Canadian teams through a fantastic event in Nova Scotia.”

“We are excited about the quality of coaches that will lead two teams of highly-skilled players from across the country as they compete for a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge in Truro,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, BC) , senior vice-president of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “We look forward to showcasing the talent from across the CJHL, and we know fans in Truro and across Nova Scotia will be treated to an exciting week of hockey.”

It was also announced that Chris Vanstone (Mississauga, ON) will return as director of operations for Team Canada East after previously serving in the same role in 2018 and 2022, while Nigel Dube (Lampman, SK/Lloydminster, AJHL) has been named director of operations for Team Canada West.

Of the 15 gold medal games at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, 12 have featured at least one Canadian team. Team Canada East will look to earn its first gold medal, having won silver seven times (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2019, 2022) and bronze once (2008), while Team Canada West has won gold five times (2006, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2017), silver three times (2008, 2009, 2012) and bronze twice (2013, 2018).

Full-event ticket packages for the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge are now available for $192 and can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets . Packages include one ticket to all 14 games, including the medal games, while the next 150 packages purchased include an exclusive World Junior A Hockey Challenge snapback hat.

The 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, the CJHL, NHL Central Scouting and Hockey Nova Scotia. The international showcase features two Canadian teams along with Slovakia, Sweden and the United States.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca , or follow along via social media on Facebook , X and Instagram .