The CJAHL in partnership with Hockey Canada announced today the two individuals who will perform the roles of Assistant Coaches for Team Canada West at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge.

Team Canada West stated that they have appointed Dwight McMillan from the Weyburn Red Wings from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), as one of the assistant coaches.

“Dwight McMillan’s decorated history and success in Junior A hockey speaks for itself, and it makes him the ideal addition to the coaching staff at the World Junior A Challenge,” declared the General Manager for Team Canada West, Leonard Strandberg. “Dwight has done a great job with Team Canada West as an assistant coach over the past two years of this event, we are confident that he will bring the same determination again this November. He is without question, one of the best coaches to have ever stood behind the bench.”

Team Canada West also announced today that they have also appointed Rylan Ferster from the Salmon Arm Silver Backs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), as an Assistant Coach.

“We are very delighted to appoint Rylan as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada West,” pronounced Leonard Strandberg. “Rylan has done an excellent job in Salmon Arm, and has developed several quality hockey players while coaching there. Rylan led his team to a third place finish this season in the extremely competitive Interior Conference of the BCHL. He has extensive knowledge of the Junior A leagues in the West and its numerous players. The players of Team Canada West will benefit significantly from the guidance of Rylan and the entire coaching staff that we have assembled this year.”

The 2008 World Junior A Challenge will take place from November 1st to 9th in Camrose, AB. Canada will look to continue its tremendous success at the event, as Team Canada East played Team Canada West in the championship finals of the 20 World Junior A Challenge events, winning silver and gold medals respectively in back-to-back years.

The CJAHL is an amalgamation of ten Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada.