The CJAHL in partnership with Hockey Canada announced today a coaching staff addition for Team Canada West at the upcoming 2007 World Junior A Challenge.

Mark Holick, the current General Manager and Head Coach of the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League, was added to the coaching staff as an Assistant Coach. Holick replaces Tim Kehler who had recently secured a coaching position with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League.

Holick spent the 2006 / 07 season with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL where he compiled an impressive record of 37-19-1-3. Holick led the Vipers through an impressive run through the BCHL playoffs, which culminated with an appearance in the BCHL championship series. Holick acted as Head Coach for Team West at the CJAHL Prospects Game, which was also held in Vernon in December, 2006.

Holick came to the Vipers after 3 seasons as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL. As Head Coach with the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL in 1997-1998, Mark led his team to a RBC Royal Bank Cup Championship. Prior to that, Mark was an Assistant Coach with the Surrey Eagles when they won the BCHL Championship and finished second at the RBC Royal Bank Cup in 1996 / 97. Holick has also acted as the Head Coach for Team Pacific in the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in 2004, and has coached on two separate occasions in the Viking Cup. Holick is a demanding coach who gets the most out his players each and every year. He has made a strong name for himself as a coach who prepares his team to play hard every night. As a result, several players have moved on to the next level under his tutelage, including current New York Rangers forward Scott Gomez.

“We are very delighted to appoint Mark Holick as the Assistant Coach for Team Canada West.” stated Team Canada West General Manager, Darcy Rota. “Mark did an outstanding job last year with the Vernon Vipers hockey club, and has a very impressive coaching record in Junior A hockey. He has a great deal of experience in dealing with high performance athletes, which makes him an excellent selection for this hockey team.”

“It is an honor for me to be named Assistant Coach at this year’s World Junior A Challenge,” beamed Holick. “An opportunity to coach with Team Canada is an opportunity that I cherish, and I am very optimistic that our coaching staff will do everything we can to field a gold medal team this fall.”

Holick will join head coach, Boris Rybalka (Camrose Kodiaks – AJHL) and assistant coach Dwight McMillan (Weyburn Red Wings – SJHL) behind the Team Canada West bench for the second edition of the annual World Junior A Challenge.

The 2007 World Junior A Challenge will take place from November 5th to 11th in Trail and Nelson, BC. Canada will look to continue its success at the event, as Team Canada East played Team Canada West in the championship finals of the 2006 World Junior A Challenge. For ticket information on the 2007 World Junior A Challenge, click on the Hockey Canada website www.hockeycanada.ca.

The CJAHL is an amalgamation of ten Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. More information on the CJAHL can be found by clicking on the league website, www.cjahl.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Kim Davis

CJAHL Representative

Team Canada West

Ph) 204-488-1227

E-mail) [email protected]

Brent Ladds

CJAHL Representative

Team Canada East

Ph) 519-622-2402

E-mail) [email protected]

Darcy Steen

Coordinator, Junior Hockey Projects

Hockey Canada

Ph) 403-777-4595

[email protected]