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August 1, 2007
WJA.004
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.
» 2007 World Junior A Challenge
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Kim Davis
CJAHL Representative
Team Canada West
Ph) 204-488-1227
E-mail) commissioner@mjhlhockey.ca
Brent Ladds
CJAHL Representative
Team Canada East
Ph) 519-622-2402
E-mail) brent@in.on.ca
Darcy Steen
Coordinator, Junior Hockey Projects
Hockey Canada
Ph) 403-777-4595
dsteen@hockeycanada.ca
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