CALGARY, ALBERTA – Hockey Canada, in conjunction with the Canadian Hockey League, announced on Monday that Dave Cameron, Head Coach of the OHL’s St. Michael’s Majors will be the Head Coach of Canada’s National Under-18 Summer Team for the Junior World Cup in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic, August 10-20, 2004.

Cameron, 45, a NCCP Intermediate level certified coach, has been the Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach with the OHL’s Toronto St. Michael’s Majors for the past four seasons. The native of Kinkora, PEI has led the Majors to the Eastern Conference Finals four consecutive seasons and has already established himself with the most wins in the franchise’s modern era history (145 career victories).

“I am very excited and proud about being named today, and the opportunity to for our team to compete at the Junior World Cup in August,” said Cameron. “I was fortunate enough to experience the honour of representing Canada last year as an assistant coach at this event, and I am looking forward to building a team of the best Canadian Under-18 players.”

Hockey Canada and the CHL also announced the appointment of Cameron’s assistant coaches with the 2004 National Under-18 Team:

· Shawn Camp, Head Coach of the OHL’s Guelph Storm

· Benoit Groulx, Head Coach of the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques

The appointments were announced following a thorough screening process carried out by Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence Policy Committee, which is made up of Bob Nicholson, President of Hockey Canada, Dave Branch, President of the Canadian Hockey League and Commissioner of the OHL, Gilles Courteau, the QMJHL Commissioner and WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. Hockey Canada was also represented by Ken Corbett, vice-chair at large on the Hockey Canada Board and Denis Hainault, Director, High Performance.

Canada will participate in two major international Under-18 events in 2004-2005 – one in August and another in April. Cameron, Groulx and Camp have been named to coach the National Under-18 Summer Team. Canada has participated in an August Under-18 Tournament in Europe since 1997, capturing gold at six of the seven events, placing fourth last year. The coaching staff for the 2005 World Under-18 Team in April, 2005 has not yet been named.

Camp, 43, a NCCP Advanced I level certified coach, has been the Head Coach of the Guelph Storm since 2003. Shawn has coached in three Memorial Cups, 1997, 2002 and 2004, including winning it in 1997 as an Assistant Coach with Hull of the QMJHL. He has participated in the Program of Excellence as an Assistant Coach at the 2002 World Under-17 Tournament, and was named Coach of the Year in 1999 as Head Coach of Hawkesbury in Junior A.

Groulx, 36, a NCCP Advanced l level certified coach, has been the Head Coach and of the Gatineau Olympiques since 2001-2002. Benoit has guided his team to the Presidents Cup in 2002-03, and won the QMJHL. He has led his team to the Memorial Cup Finals each of the past two seasons.

Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League also announced Team Canada’s Under-18 support staff:

– Tom Frater (Belleville Bulls, OHL), Equipment Manager

– Etienne Fallu (Acadie-Bathurst Titans), Therapist

– Donald Plouffe (Gatineau Olympiques), Team Doctor

– Dwayne Gylywoychuk (Brandon Wheat Kings) Video Coach

In June, Hockey Canada’s Head Scout Blair Mackasey and the coaching staff will name a list of players that will be invited to attend Canada’s National Under-18 Development Camp, taking place in Calgary, AB, August 1-7, 2004 (dates TBD).

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is designed to prepare coaches from communities to national teams to develop athletic potential. The three coaches selected are examples of individuals who have dedicated time in their coaching development to Coach Certification, leveraging their knowledge to work with Canada’s National Teams at an international level.

For more information on Canada’s National U-18 Team, please visit Hockey Canada’s official web site at www.hockeycanada.ca

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Brad Pascall

Director, Communications

Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4556
bpascall@hockeycanada.ca