Kelowna Rocket Coach Ryan Huska, who was born in Cranbrook, is one of the Assistant Coaches for Canada for this years' WJHC.
CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced on Monday that Dave Cameron, head coach of the OHL’s Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors will be head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, scheduled for December 26, 2010 to January 5, 2011 in Buffalo and Niagara, N.Y.
Cameron will be joined behind Canada’s bench by assistant coaches Bob Boughner (head coach of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires), Ryan Huska (head coach of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets) and André Tourigny (head coach and general manager of the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies).
Dave Cameron, 51, will be a part of the National Junior Team coaching staff for the third-consecutive year, having won gold as an assistant coach in 2009 in Ottawa, Ont., before taking silver as an associate coach in 2010 in Regina/Saskatoon, Sask. Cameron also served as head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2004 Junior World Cup, winning a gold medal. The Kincora, P.E.I. native has been head coach and director of hockey operations of Mississauga St. Michael’s since the 2007-08 season.
“I am truly honoured and humbled to be named head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team,” said Cameron. “I look forward to working with the great staff that we have assembled, and our first objective will be to reclaim gold for Canada at the World Juniors.”
Bob Boughner, 39, was the head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, leading it to its second-consecutive gold medal. Boughner, an 11-year NHL veteran, has led Windsor to Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010, and was named OHL and CHL coach of the year in both 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Ryan Huska, 34, will make his international debut behind the bench at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. The head coach of the Rockets since 2007, Huska is a veteran of seven Memorial Cups as both a player and a coach – he won championships as a player with the Kamloops Blazers in 1992, 1994 and 1995 and as an assistant coach with Kelowna in 2004, and also appeared in the tournament as Kelowna’s assistant coach in 2003 and 2005 and as the team’s head coach in 2009.
André Tourigny, 36, will be an assistant coach with Canada’s National Junior Team for the second year in a row, having served under Willie Desjardins at the 2010 tournament. The Nicolet, Que., native was an assistant coach of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team for the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, winning a gold medal. He has been head coach of the Huskies since 2001 and was named QMJHL coach of the year in 2005-06.
“We are very excited about the coaching staff we are naming today for Canada’s National Junior Team,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s senior director of men’s national teams. “All four of these coaches bring a wealth of experience, and we look forward to working with them this winter in Buffalo.”
In addition, Hockey Canada also announced the support staff that will be working with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. For a full list of staff members, CLICK HERE.
Hockey Canada will announce details for the National Junior Team’s summer development camp shortly, including the players that will be invited to camp.