Gaels' Brett Gibson selected as bench boss for Canada's IIHF U18 World Championship squad
Calgary, Alta. – Hockey Canada has named Brett Gibson (Gananoque, Ont./Queen's University, OUA) head coach of Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team for the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship, April 18-28 in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, Sweden.
"I am extremely excited to get the opportunity to work again with Hockey Canada in the Program of Excellence," said Gaels head coach Brett Gibson. "To represent your country in an IIHF World Championship is a real honour and I take this position as a privilege. The preparation and relationships we build with our staff and players will lead to our performance in this tournament, I look forward to the challenge."
Gibson, who was last behind the bench internationally for Team Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, will be joined by assistant coaches Serge Aubin (Val-d'Or, Que.) and Dave Struch (Flin Flon, Man./Regina, WHL).
"The IIHF U18 World Championship presents Hockey Canada with a unique challenge every year, with players being added through the tournament. We are confident that Brett, Serge and Dave will be able to navigate through these challenges and bring the team together to be successful on and off the ice," said Shawn Bullock, director of men's national teams. "We feel these coaches will be able to bring out the best in our players, and lead Canada through a successful tournament."
Gibson just completed his 13th season as head coach of Queen's, leading the Gaels to their first OUA Queen's Cup title since 1981 and second U SPORTS U Cup appearance in the last three years. Gibson was an assistant coach with Team Canada White at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge before serving as head coach a year later. He was also head coach of Canada's men's hockey team at the 2017 Winter Universiade, winning a bronze medal, and was named OUA coach of year twice (2007-08, 2013-14), earning the U SPORTS Coach of the Year award in 2013-14. Gibson played four seasons in the OHL from 1996-2000, with the Erie Otters, North Bay Centennials and London Knights.
Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team staff also includes:
- Goaltending consultant Adam Brown (Kelowna, B.C./Kelowna, WHL)
- Video coordinator Sumeet Wareh (Calgary, Alta./University of Calgary, CW)
- Equipment manager Chris Cook (Ottawa, Ont./Kingston, OHL)
- Athletic therapist Kyle Sutton (New Glasgow, N.S./Shawinigan, QMJHL)
- Athletic therapist Andy Brown (Owen Sound, Ont./Owen Sound, OHL)
- Team physician Dr. Barry Wiens (Red Deer, Alta./Red Deer, WHL)
- Mental performance consultant Bryce Tully (Halifax, N.S.)
- Education consultant Dave Tennant (Kitchener, Ont./Kitchener, OHL)
- Coordinator of national teams Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.)
Canada opens the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship Finland on April 18, and will also face Switzerland (April 19), Belarus (April 21) and the Czech Republic (April 23) in preliminary-round action. TSN/RDS, the official broadcast partner of Hockey Canada, are broadcasting 16 games, including all of Team Canada's match-ups at the IIHF U18 World Championship.
Canada has won seven medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, including three gold (2003, 2008, 2013), one silver (2005) and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).