Becomes Official Bank of the CHL

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2016 /CNW/ – CIBC (TSX:CM) (NYSE: CM) and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) are proud to announce an exciting new partnership, as CIBC becomes the Official Bank of the CHL, and its three regional leagues, Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

This new five-year deal includes sponsorship of 23 CHL teams, title sponsorship of the Canada Russia Series, and associate sponsorship of the Mastercard Memorial Cup and the CHL Top Prospects Game. As part of its partnership with the world’s largest development league, CIBC is also providing financial management, advice and banking resources to the CHL  and will support the CHL’s scholarship program.

“The Canadian Hockey League is proud to welcome CIBC to the CHL family,” says CHL President David Branch. “It’s exciting to partner with an organization who shares our goals of supporting youth and being active in communities across Canada. CIBC’s commitment to our teams and to the CIBC Canada Russia Series will help us showcase some of the best Major Junior players in the world to hockey fans across the country.”

 Leveraging the CHL’s national scope and local in-market presence, CIBC will activate the sponsorship at various opening week games in 23 communities across Canada, beginning September 22-30 and continuing throughout the season. CIBC will also work with KidSport, a national non-profit that encourages kids to get active, as part of the sponsorship activation.

“What attracted us to this organization is its community focus and ability to bring Canadians together in passion and spirit and we’re excited to be part of that energy in 23 markets from Kelowna to Cape Breton,” says Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CIBC. “We are proud to welcome the CHL as a new CIBC client, and look forward to working with them to continue building strong Canadian communities.”

The 2016-17 CHL season began on Wednesday September 21 in the OHL, with the QMJHL and WHL opening action on Thursday and Friday nights respectively. The 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series takes place November 7-17 and features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. The six game series includes stops in Prince George, BC, Edmonton, AB, North Bay, ON, Hamilton, ON, Chicoutimi, QC, and Baie-Comeau, QC.

 CIBC sponsored CHL teams:

 

WHL                    OHL                                    QMJHL

Kamloops           Windsor                            Rouyn-Noranda

Lethbridge         Peterborough                  Cape Breton

Red Deer            Mississauga                     Charlottetown

Regina                 Sault St. Marie                 Val-d’Or

Vancouver         Owen Sound                    Sherbrooke

Victoria               Oshawa                            Drummondville

Moose Jaw

Kelowna

Kootenay

Saskatoon

Prince George

CIBC has a long history of supporting its communities through sponsorship programs such as CIBC Run for the Cure which, in its 20^th year on October, 2 will impact over 60 communities across Canada. CIBC’s partnership with the CHL will also complement other recently formed partnerships including Connor McDavid, who earned CHL Player of the Year honours in 2015, and Ottawa 2017, a yearlong celebration for Canada and CIBC’s shared 150^th birthday in 2017.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/ or by following on Twitter @CIBC, Facebook (www.facebook.com/CIBC) and Instagram @CIBCNow.

 About the Canadian Hockey League

The Canadian Hockey League is the world’s largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and eight American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. CHL players graduate from high school at a rate higher than the Canadian national average.  More than nine million fans annually attend CHL games during the regular season, playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup. The CHL is the number one supplier of talent to the National Hockey League (NHL) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to announce that 164 OHL players have been invited to attend National Hockey League Training Camps this season.

All 164 players listed are eligible to compete in the OHL for the 2016-17 season including 108 players born in either 1997 or 1998, while 56 of the players are 1996-born and would return as overage players.  159 of the players listed competed in the OHL last season, while five of the players are committed to their OHL clubs for 2016-17.

Of the 164 players attending Training Camps, 111 are going to clubs that selected them in the NHL Draft, 46 are free agent invites, five are undrafted NHL signed prospects, and two players are undrafted AHL signed prospects.  In total, 55 of the players attending NHL Camps have signed entry-level contracts including 29 1996-born players who are overage eligible.

All 20 OHL clubs have at least four players attending NHL Training Camps with the London Knights leading the way by sending 16 players to various camps, followed by the Kitchener Rangers with 12 players, the Windsor Spitfires with 11 players, and both the Niagara IceDogs and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds with 10 players each.

29 of the NHL’s 30 clubs will have at least one OHL eligible player attending their Training Camp.  The Arizona Coyotes lead the way with 13 returning eligible OHL players, followed by the St. Louis Blues with 12, the Carolina Hurricanes with 10, followed by the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs each with nine.

The OHL continues to be the leading supplier of talent to the NHL.

OHL Players at 2016-17 NHL Training Camps
Player/NHL Club/Draft Year or Free Agent
Players in italics indicate overage players (1996 birthdates)
*indicates players committed for the 2016-17 season

Barrie Colts (6):

Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Mackenzie Blackwood, New Jersey Devils, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Cordell James, Dallas Stars, Free Agent Invite
Andrew Mangiapane, Calgary Flames, 6th round ’15 – Signed
Roy Radke, Chicago Blackhawks, 6th round ‘15
Dylan Sadowy, Detroit Red Wings, 3rd round ’14 (SJS) – Signed

Erie Otters (8):

Erik Cernak, Los Angeles Kings, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Alex DeBrincat, Chicago Blackhawks, 2nd round ‘16
Travis Dermott, Toronto Maple Leafs, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Kyle Maksimovich, Vancouver Canucks, Free Agent Invite
Darren Raddysh, San Jose Sharks, Free Agent Invite
Taylor Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2nd round ‘16
Jordan Sambrook, Detroit Red Wings, 5th round ‘16
Dylan Strome, Arizona Coyotes, 1st round ’15 – Signed

Flint Firebirds (6):

Will Bitten, Montreal Canadiens, 3rd round ‘16
Nicholas Caamano, Dallas Stars, 5th round ‘16
Everett Clark, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent Invite
Luke Kirwan, Detroit Red Wings, Free Agent Invite
Alex Peters, Carolina Hurricanes, Free Agent Invite
Jalen Smereck, Arizona Coyotes, Free Agent Invite

Guelph Storm (4):

Noah Carroll, Carolina Hurricanes, 6th round ‘16
James McEwan, Pittsburgh Penguins, Free Agent Invite
Garrett McFadden, Philadelphia Flyers, Free Agent Invite
Givani Smith, Detroit Red Wings, 2nd round ‘16

Hamilton Bulldogs (6):

Cole Candella, Vancouver Canucks, 5th round ‘16
Ben Gleason, Carolina Hurricanes, Free Agent Invite
Connor Hicks, Detroit Red Wings, Free Agent Invite
Justin Lemcke, Chicago Blackhawks, Free Agent Invite
Matt Luff, Los Angeles Kings, Free Agent Invite
Niki Petti, Arizona Coyotes, Free Agent Invite

Kingston Frontenacs (8):

Lawson Crouse, Arizona Coyotes, 1st round ’15 (FLA) – Signed
Michael Dal Colle, New York Islanders, 1st round ’14 – Signed
Stephen Desrocher, Toronto Maple Leafs, 6th round ‘15
Warren Foegele, Carolina Hurricanes, 3rd round ‘14
Jeremy Helvig, Carolina Hurricanes, 5th round ‘16
Juho Lammikko, Florida Panthers, 3rd round ’14 – Signed
Roland McKeown, Carolina Hurricanes, 2nd round ’14 (LAK) – Signed
Spencer Watson, Los Angeles Kings, 7th round ’14 – Signed

Kitchener Rangers (12):

Jeremy Bracco, Toronto Maple Leafs, 2nd round ‘15
Connor Bunnaman, Philadelphia Flyers, 4th round ‘16
Dylan Di Perna, New York Rangers, Free Agent Invite
Connor Hall, Pittsburgh Penguins, 3rd round ‘16
Jake Henderson, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent Invite
Frank Hora, Columbus Blue Jackets, Free Agent Invite
Mason Kohn, Arizona Coyotes, Free Agent Invite
Darby Llewellyn, Columbus Blue Jackets, Free Agent Invite
Ryan MacInnis, Arizona Coyotes, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Adam Mascherin, Florida Panthers, 2nd round ‘16
Luke Opilka, St. Louis Blues, 5th round ’15 – Signed (unable to attend due to injury)
Dmitrii Sergeev, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent – Signed

London Knights (16):

Brandon Crawley, Pittsburgh Penguins, Free Agent Invite
Christian Dvorak, Arizona Coyotes, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Max Jones, Anaheim Ducks, 1st round ’16 – Signed
Olli Juolevi, Vancouver Canucks, 1st round ’16 – Signed
Janne Kuokkanen, Carolina Hurricanes, 2nd round ‘16*
Owen MacDonald, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent Invite
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1st round ’15 – Signed
Chris Martenet, Dallas Stars, 4th round ’15 – Signed
Nicolas Mattinen, Toronto Maple Leafs, 6th round ‘16
Victor Mete, Montreal Canadiens, 4th round ‘16
Tyler Parsons, Calgary Flames, 2nd round ‘16
JJ Piccinich, Toronto Maple Leafs, 4th round ‘14
Cliff Pu, Buffalo Sabres, 3rd round ‘16
Kole Sherwood, Columbus Blue Jackets, Free Agent – Signed
Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary Flames, 1st round ’16 – Signed
Chandler Yakimowicz, Pittsburgh Penguins, Free Agent Invite

Mississauga Steelheads (9):

Nathan Bastian, New Jersey Devils, 2nd round ‘16
Sean Day, New York Rangers, 3rd round ‘16
Stephen Gibson, Columbus Blue Jackets, Free Agent Invite
Michael McLeod, New Jersey Devils, 1st round ‘16
Jacob Moverare, Los Angeles Kings, 4th round ‘16*
Daniel Muzito-Bagenda, Buffalo Sabres, Signed (AHL)
Alex Nylander, Buffalo Sabres, 1st round ’16 – Signed
Austin Osmanski, Buffalo Sabres, 7th round ‘16
Vili Saarijärvi, Detroit Red Wings, 3rd round ’15 – Signed

Niagara IceDogs (10):

Stephen Dhillon, Detroit Red Wings, Free Agent Invite
Vince Dunn, St. Louis Blues, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Josh Ho-Sang, New York Islanders, 1st round ’14 – Signed
Pavel Jenys, Minnesota Wild, 7th round ’14 – Signed
Graham Knott, Chicago Blackhawks, 2nd round ‘15
Alex Nedeljkovic, Carolina Hurricanes, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Christopher Paquette, Tampa Bay Lightning, 5th round ‘16
Brendan Perlini, Arizona Coyotes, 1st round ’14 – Signed
Blake Siebenaler, Columbus Blue Jackets, 3rd round ’14 – Signed
Josh Wesley, Carolina Hurricanes, 4th round ’14 – Signed

North Bay Battalion (8):

Mike Amadio, Los Angeles Kings, 3rd round ’14 – Signed
Justin Brazeau, Detroit Red Wings, Free Agent Invite
Riley Bruce, Calgary Flames, 7th round ‘15
Cam Dineen, Arizona Coyotes, 3rd round ‘16
Brett McKenzie, Vancouver Canucks, 7th round ‘16
Brent Moran, Chicago Blackhawks, Free Agent Invite
Mark Shoemaker, San Jose Sharks, 6th round ‘16
Kyle Wood, Arizona Coyotes, 3rd round ’14 (COL) – Signed

Oshawa Generals (7):

Sean Allen, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent Invite
Jeremy Brodeur, Columbus Blue Jackets, Free Agent Invite
Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning, 3rd round ’15 – Signed
Domenic Commisso, Boston Bruins, Free Agent Invite
Lukas Lofquist, New York Islanders, Signed (AHL)
Riley Stillman, Florida Panthers, 4th round ’16
Mitchell Vande Sompel, New York Islanders, 3rd round ‘15

Ottawa 67’s (5):

Travis Barron, Colorado Avalanche, 7th round ‘16
Stepan Falkovsky, Calgary Flames, 7th round ‘16
Jacob Middleton, Los Angeles Kings, Free Agent Invite
Drake Rymsha, Boston Bruins, Free Agent Invite
Dante Salituro, Columbus Blue Jackets, Free Agent – Signed

 Owen Sound Attack (8):

Santino Centorame, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent Invite
Jacob Friend, Los Angeles Kings, 7th round ‘16
Michael McNiven, Montreal Canadiens, Free Agent – Signed
Petrus Palmu, Montreal Canadiens, Free Agent Invite
Thomas Schemitsch, Florida Panthers, 3rd round ‘15

Matt Schmalz, Los Angeles Kings, 5th round ‘15
Damir Sharipzyanov, Los Angeles Kings, Free Agent – Signed

Ethan Szypula, Dallas Stars, Free Agent Invite

Peterborough Petes (8):

Jonathan Ang, Florida Panthers, 4th round ‘16
Eric Cornel, Buffalo Sabres, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Kyle Jenkins, Edmonton Oilers, Free Agent Invite
Steven Lorentz, Carolina Hurricanes, 7th round ‘15
Dominik Masin, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Matt Spencer, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Jonne Tammela, Tampa Bay Lightning, 4th round ‘15*
Dylan Wells, Edmonton Oilers, 5th round ‘16

Saginaw Spirit (8):

Kris Bennett, Nashville Predators, Free Agent Invite

Evan Cormier, New Jersey Devils, 4th round ‘16
Marcus Crawford, New Jersey Devils, Free Agent Invite

Tye Felhaber, Toronto Maple Leafs, Free Agent Invite

Filip Hronek, Detroit Red Wings, 2nd round ’16 – Signed*

Keaton Middleton, Toronto Maple Leafs, 4th round ‘16

Markus Niemelainen, Edmonton Oilers, 3rd round ‘16
Mitchell Stephens, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2nd round ’15 – Signed

Sarnia Sting (9):

Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes, 1st round ’16 – Signed

Filip Helt, St. Louis Blues, 7th round ‘16*
Josh Jacobs, New Jersey Devils, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Jeff King, Chicago Blackhawks, Free Agent Invite
Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers, 1st round ’15 – Signed
Nikita Korostelev, Toronto Maple Leafs, 7th round ‘15
Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues, 2nd round ’16 – Signed
Anthony Salinitri, Philadelphia Flyers, 6th round ‘16
Pavel Zacha, New Jersey Devils, 1st round ’15 – Signed

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (10):

Gustav Bouramman, Minnesota Wild, 7th round ’15 – Signed
Tim Gettinger, New York Rangers, 5th round ‘16
Brandon Halverson, New York Rangers, 2nd round ’14 – Signed
Boris Katchouk, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2nd round ‘16
Jack Kopacka, Anaheim Ducks, 4th round ‘16
Joseph Raaymakers, New York Rangers, Free Agent Invite
Zachary Senyshyn, Boston Bruins, 1st round ’15 – Signed
Blake Speers, New Jersey Devils, 3rd round ‘15
Hayden Verbeek, Chicago Blackhawks, Free Agent Invite
Colton White, New Jersey Devils, 4th round ‘15

Sudbury Wolves (5):

Kyle Capobianco, Arizona Coyotes, 3rd round ‘15
Liam Dunda, St. Louis Blues, 6th round ‘15
Aiden Jamieson, St. Louis Blues, Free Agent Invite
Michael Pezzetta, Montreal Canadiens, 6th round ‘16
Dmitry Sokolov, Minnesota Wild, 7th round ‘16

Windsor Spitfires (11):

Jeremiah Addison, Montreal Canadiens, 7th round ‘15
Logan Brown, Ottawa Senators, 1st round ’16 – Signed
Jalen Chatfield, San Jose Sharks, Free Agent Invite
Cristiano DiGiacinto, New York Islanders, Free Agent Invite
Christian Fischer, Arizona Coyotes, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Brendan Lemieux, Winnipeg Jets, 2nd round ’14 (BUF) – Signed
Hayden McCool, Montreal Canadiens, Free Agent Invite
Julius Nattinen, Anaheim Ducks, 2nd round ’15 – Signed
Tyler Nother, San Jose Sharks, Free Agent Invite
Mikhail Sergachev, Montreal Canadiens, 1st round ’16 – Signed
Logan Stanley, Winnipeg Jets, 1st round ‘16

The 2016-17 OHL regular season begins on Wednesday September 21.

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the final results of the 2016 CHL Import Draft.

The 25th annual CHL Import Draft included a total of 79 players consisting of 53 forwards and 26 defencemen selected from 11 different countries featuring a draft-high 24 players from Russia.

The two-round draft took place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings within each league from the 2015-16 season. 

The Kootenay Ice used the first overall pick to acquire Russian forward Klim Kostin.  At over 6’3’’, 183lb, the 2017 NHL Draft prospect captained Team Russia to a silver medal at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and also competed at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.  The second and third overall picks are also Russian-born 2017 NHL Draft prospects and international competition teammates of Kostin including defenceman Dmitri Samorukov who went number two to the Guelph Storm, and forward Ivan Chekhovich who went number three to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

CLICK HERE TO SEE 2016 CHL IMPORT DRAFT ORDER AND RESULTS

The 2016 CHL Import Draft featured 14 players previously selected by NHL teams in 2015 and 2016 drafts.  Of that group, four players were selected in the first three rounds this past weekend in Buffalo including first round NHL pick German Rubtsov (Philadelphia) chosen 27th overall in the Import Draft by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.  Second round NHL picks selected by CHL clubs include Filip Hronek (Detroit) chosen 14th today by the Saginaw Spirit, and Janne Kuokkanen (Carolina) chosen 56th today by the London Knights.  Third round NHL pick Linus Nassen (Florida) was chosen 59th overall today by the Brandon Wheat Kings.

A total of 51 players selected in the 2016 CHL Import Draft are eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft, while six players selected are not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2018.

Each team in the CHL is permitted to dress and play a maximum of two import players each season who are selected annually through the CHL Import Draft. 

2016 CHL Import Draft Summary:

Draft Picks by Position:

Forward – 53

Defence – 26

Draft Picks by Country:

Russia – 24

Finland – 13

Czech Republic – 12

Sweden – 8

Belarus – 6

Slovakia – 4

Switzerland – 4

Latvia – 3

Denmark – 2

Germany – 2

Slovenia – 1

Draft picks by Birthdate and NHL Status:

1999-born late and 2018 NHL Draft eligible – 6

1999-born and 2017 NHL Draft eligible – 41

1998-born late and 2017 NHL Draft eligible – 10

1998-born and 2016 NHL Drafted – 9

1998-born and NHL Undrafted – 5

1997-born and NHL Drafted – 5

1997-born and NHL Undrafted – 3

NHL Draft picks in CHL Import Draft:

14. Filip Hronek (Saginaw – 2nd round to Detroit in 2016)

20. Jacob Moverare (Mississauga – 4th round to Los Angeles in 2016)

27. German Rubtsov (Chicoutimi – 1st round to Philadelphia in 2016)

28. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (Prince George – 5th round to Washington in 2016)

31. Filip Ahl (Regina – 4th round to Ottawa in 2015)

34. Dmitry Zaitsev (Moose Jaw – 7th round to Washington in 2016)

36. Vasily Glotov (Cape Breton – 7th round to Buffalo in 2016)

40. Eetu Tuulola (Everett – 6th round to Calgary in 2016)

43. Rudolfs Balcers (Kamloops – 5th round to San Jose in 2015)

47. Filip Helt (Sarnia – 7th round to St. Louis in 2016)

56. Janne Kuokkanen (London – 2nd round to Carolina in 2016)

59. Linus Nassen (Brandon – 3rd round to Florida in 2016)

76. John Dahlstrom (Medicine Hat – 7th round to Chicago in 2015)

85. Joakim Blichfeld (Portland – 7th round to San Jose in 2016)

A total of 14 players acquired through the CHL Import Draft were recently selected in the 2016 NHL Draft including three first round picks.  Olli Juolevi of the London Knights, a Finnish born defenceman, was chosen fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks, followed by Swedish forward Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads chosen eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres, and Russian defenceman Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires chosen ninth overall by the Montreal Canadiens.

Last season a total of 78 players were selected from 14 different countries led by 21 players from Russia and consisting of 50 forwards and 28 defencemen.

Twelve coaches selected to lead teams through summer development and selection camps, and early 2016-17 season events

CALGARY, Alta. – The coaching staffs for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and Canada’s national men’s under-17 teams have been selected.

Paul McFarland (Richmond Hill, Ont./Kingston, OHL) will serve as head coach for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, while Mark French (Milton, Ont./Calgary, WHL) and Darren Rumble (Barrie, Ont./Moncton, QMJHL) join McFarland as assistant coaches for the summer selection camp and the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

On the under-17 side, Paul Boutilier (Sydney, N.S./Saint John, QMJHL) will serve as head coach for Team Canada Black, Brent Kisio(Calgary/Lethbridge, WHL) will head Team Canada White, while Rocky Thompson (Calgary/Windsor, OHL) will lead Team Canada Red at Canada’s national under-17 development camp and at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Chris Dennis (Toronto/York University, OUA) and David Struch (Flin Flon, Man./Regina, WHL) will serve as assistants for Team Canada Black, Jamie Heward (Regina, Sask./Swift Current, WHL) and Daniel Jacob (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que./Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) will join Kisio as assistant coaches for Team Canada White, while Mitch Love (Quesnel, B.C./Everett, WHL) and Ryan Marsh (Quesnel, B.C./Edmonton, WHL) will join Thompson on Team Canada Red.

“This is an exciting group of coaches that have been chosen to lead our National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and under-17 programs as they aim to re-create the success these teams generated last season,” said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams with Hockey Canada. “These coaches have found success at many different levels in the game and bring a magnitude of experience to our programs that will help develop the top young talent in our country.”

 Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team

McFarland served as an assistant coach with Team Canada Red at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and has been the head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs for the past two seasons. Prior to joining the Frontenacs, he was an assistant coach with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals from 2012-14. McFarland played four seasons of junior hockey with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires from 2002-06. He also spent four seasons playing university hockey with Acadia University and served as captain from 2007-10.

French has been the head coach of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen for the past two seasons. Prior to leading the Hitmen, he was head coach the KHL’s Medvescak Zagreb during the 2013-14 season and led the AHL’s Hershey Bears from 2009-13. French spent three seasons as head coach of the CHL’s Wichita Thunder from 2005-08 and also served as head coach for Wilfrid Laurier University (OUA) from 2002-04. He also served as the assistant coach and general manager for the OHL’s North Bay Centennials from 1999-2002.

Rumble returns to Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team after winning a goal medal as an assistant coach at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. Rumble is in his fourth season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats, having previously served as head coach of the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals and as an assistant coach with the Admirals, the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, the QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs, and the AHL’s Springfield Falcons. A first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Rumble played 193 NHL games with Philadelphia, Ottawa, St. Louis and Tampa Bay during a 16-year professional career.

Canada’s national men’s under-17 teams

Boutilier has served as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs since 2015. Prior to joining the Sea Dogs, he served as an associate coach for Dalhousie University (AUS) from 2009-13, and was also the head coach at Saint Mary’s University from 1993-97. As a player, Boutilier was twice a member of Canada’s National Junior Team, winning gold in 1982 and bronze in 1983 at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He also played eight seasons in the NHL with Boston, Minnesota, New York, and Winnipeg from 1982-89.

Kisio just completed his first season as head coach of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes after spending eight seasons as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen (2007-15). He was also behind the bench as assistant coach for Team Pacific at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. As a player, he spent four seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (2003-07) after playing the 2002-03 season with the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers.

Thompson just completed his first season as head coach of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. He previously served as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers during the 2014-15 season, and was an assistant coach with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons from 2010-14 and WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings from 2007-10. As a player, Thompson played three seasons with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers (1993-96). From 1995-2007, he played in the AHL with Saint John, Louisville, Hershey, San Antonio, Toronto, Edmonton and Peoria, and appeared in 25 NHL games with Calgary and Florida.

Hockey Canada’s National Teams’ Summer Showcase will be held July 26 to Aug. 2 at the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, will lead player selection for the camp and camp invites will be announced in the coming weeks for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp and Canada’s national under-17 development camp.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

Hockey Canada selects Misha Donskov, Tim Hunter, Kris Knoblauch to join Ducharme behind the bench; releases new ticket packages for 2017 World Juniors

MONTREAL, Que. – Fans of Canada’s National Junior Team will see a familiar face behind the bench when the IIHF World Junior Championship returns to Montreal and Toronto in December. Dominique Ducharme (Joliette, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) will reprise his coaching role for a second consecutive season – this time as the team’s head coach.

Ducharme, who recently accepted the role of general manager and head coach of the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs following five seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads, was on-hand for the announcement at a news conference at Montreal’s Bell Centre Monday.

The announcement was made by Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams, and Joël Bouchard and Tim Speltz of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence management group. Bouchard and Speltz worked with Hockey Canada’s hockey operations staff, as well as the Canadian Hockey League, to make the coaching selections which included the appointments of Tim Hunter (Calgary/Moose Jaw, WHL), Kris Knoblauch (Regina/Erie, OHL), and Misha Donskov (London, Ont./Hockey Canada) as assistant coaches.

“Every year, we undergo an extensive process to select our national team coaches from amongst a very deep and talented pool of candidates from across the CHL – and this year was no exception,” said Salmond. “Dom, Tim, and Kris bring a great cross-section of experience to this team, and an understanding of what it takes to be successful at tournaments where you don’t have the luxury of time on your side. Their individual records speak for themselves, but we’re most excited about the prospect of what these three great hockey minds can produce working as a coaching unit.”

Ducharme is no stranger to standing behind the Team Canada bench, having been part of the 2015-16 National Junior Team coaching staff and winning gold with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. During his tenure with the Mooseheads, he led the team to its first-ever Memorial Cup championship in 2013. His coaching experience also includes three seasons as assistant coach with the Montreal Junior, and Ducharme also played an assistant coaching role with Team Quebec at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, finishing fourth. Ducharme played professionally from 1995 to 2002 in the ECHL, AHL, and in Europe.

Hunter won a bronze medal with Canada’s National Under-18 Team at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championship, and is fresh off his second season as head coach of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors. Prior to joining the Warriors, Hunter coached more than 1,000 games over 14 seasons in the NHL as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks. As a player he appeared in 815 NHL games over 16 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, the Sharks, and he won the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989.

Knoblauch has coached in the CHL since the 2006-07 season, spending his first six seasons in the WHL – first as an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Raiders, then in the same role with the Kootenay Ice until taking over as head coach in 2010. As head coach, Knoblauch led the Ice to their third WHL championship in 2011 and the team’s first Memorial Cup appearance since 2002. In 2012-13, Knoblauch was hired by the OHL’s Erie Otters as the team’s head coach. This season, he was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL’s Coach of the Year. Knoblauch was head coach of Team Canada Red at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. His playing career includes winning a CIS national championship with the University of Alberta Golden Bears in 2000.

Donskov joined Hockey Canada in 2014 as manager of video and analytics. He has won a gold medal with Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia, the 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic, and with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal. Donskov was associate coach with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s from 2012-14, and spent three seasons with the London Knights, service as assistant general manager and assistant coach, winning an OHL championship in 2012. Donskov also spent eight years working with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and Atlanta Thrashers within hockey development programming, community development, fan development, marketing, and hockey operations.

“Being part of Team Canada at any capacity is an experience like no other. The role of head coach of the National Junior Team isn’t one I take lightly,” said Ducharme. “I’m looking forward to working with Misha, Tim and Kris, and demonstrating our Canadian talent in front of a hometown crowd this December.”

Hockey Canada releases new ticket packages for 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship

Monday’s news conference was kicked off with a look at the preparations underway for Canada to host the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship on home ice this December. Tom Renney, president and CEO of Hockey Canada, noted the nation-wide impact on the growth of the game that stemmed from hosting the event in 2015.

“Canadians expect us to deliver gold on the ice, and there’s no question that’s what we seek to deliver each and every time we put together a Team Canada roster,” said Renney. “When we have the opportunity to host a World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada’s measures of success expand to delivering a gold-medal experience for fans attending the event, and just as importantly, to delivering on an event legacy that positively impacts the growth of the game at all levels from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”

Renney noted that when Montreal and Toronto last hosted the World Juniors in 2015, the event’s legacy fed directly into allowing more than 30,000 players to be introduced to the game through the Initiation Program or a learn-to-play program; over 5,000 coaches were recruited, trained, and certified; and more than 2,500 players had access to skill-development programs.

“We build our events so that we can reinvest the proceeds into the growth of the game at all levels,” said Renney. “Whether it’s a national championship or a IIHF championship, we work closely with the host committees to create lasting legacies that positively impact hockey at the local level, and nationwide.”

Montreal and Toronto will welcome the world once again in six short months, and Hockey Canada has released full-event ticket packages, as well as mini-packs for both cities that allow hockey fans to tailor their experience and cheer on the up-and-coming hockey talent from hockey powerhouse countries around the world.

Beginning Tuesday, June 7, two new ticket packages at all price points from the Platinum to the Purple sections are available for games at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Starting at $54 per game, the packages feature at least two Canada preliminary-round games, and give fans a chance to see all five teams in Group B – Canada, Latvia, Russia, Slovakia, and the United States.

Montreal launched a series of mini-packs in May, including a “medal pack” featuring two quarterfinal games, two semifinals, and the bronze- and gold-medal games.

Tickets are available at both venues, including for marquee games such as the gold-medal game in Montreal and the New Year’s Eve Canada-U.S. match-up in Toronto.

For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, and Twitter.