Former Vernon Laker Rylan Ferster Selected Team West GM:

Coaching staffs appointed for Canadian entries at World Jr A Challenge

Monday, March 1, 2010 - Submitted by CJHL Network

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in partnership with Hockey Canada announced today the Coaching Staffs for Team Canada East and Team Canada West at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge.

Larry Wintoneak (Kindersley Klippers, SJHL) will return as Head Coach of Team Canada West after serving as an Assistant Coach in 2009. The assistant coaches for the West squad include Jomar Cruz (OCN Blizzard, MJHL), Andrew Milne (Canmore Eagles, AJHL) and Kevin Hasselberg (Olds Grizzlies, AJHL).

Jomar Cruz held the position of Video Coach at the 2009 World Junior A Challenge. Andrew Milne and Kevin Hasselberg were both members of the Coaching Staff for Team Pacific at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Rylan Ferster of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) was recently selected as Team West General Manager. Rylan Ferster represented Team Canada West as an Assistant Coach in 2008 and Head Coach in 2009. Former General Manager Leonard Strandberg has been appointed as Head Scout.

Head Coach Todd Gill of the Brockville Braves (CJHL) will lead Team East alongside General Manager Troy Ryan (Halifax Lions, MJAHL). Gill returns for his second season as Head Coach while Troy Ryan has served as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada East since the inaugural World Junior A Challenge in 2006.

For a third consecutive year, Patrice Bosch (Inouk de Granby, LHJAAAQ) has been selected as Assistant Coach. Curtis Hodgins (Bowmanville Eagles, CCHL) will also join Team East as an Assistant Coach.

The Head Coaches of Team Canada East and West are both relying on experience to better their respective teams at the 2010 tournament. “Last year I enjoyed the experience and learned a lot, but did not achieve the goal we set out for our team,” said Head Coach Todd Gill. “The experience I earned through competing at such a high level of international competition, and the knowledge I gained of the selection process and team building was invaluable.”

“This is a great opportunity to enhance my coaching career and to represent my country. I look forward to having a second shot,” stated Gill.

“It was a tremendous opportunity to be involved in the World Junior A Challenge and work with Hockey Canada last year,” said Head Coach Larry Wintoneak. “Experience is everything and it will benefit me as a Head Coach and our entire staff in the preparation for this year’s tournament. The expectation to win remains the same.”

“It’s all about privilege and responsibility,” said Wintoneak. “It is a great privilege to be involved, and with that you have a responsibility to your country as a Coach and a player.”

The international tournament will feature the best 19 and under Junior A aged players from six competing countries. The World Junior A Challenge tournament will be held in November 2010, the respective dates and location will be announced shortly.

Created to showcase the talent in Canada's 11 Junior A leagues, the World Junior A Challenge debuted in 2006. Canada West has appeared in all four gold medal games, winning twice, while Canada East is a two-time silver medallist.

For more information on the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac or www.cjhlhockey.com.