CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced Monday that Kevin Prendergast of Verdun, Quebec has been hired as head scout of its men’s Program of Excellence, which includes Canada’s National Junior, Under-18 and Under-17 programs.

Prendergast, former assistant general manager and vice-president of hockey operations of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, comes to Hockey Canada with a wealth of experience working in the professional hockey world, including 20 seasons with the Oilers and seven seasons as assistant director of scouting with NHL Central Scouting.

As head scout of Hockey Canada’s men’s Program of Excellence, Prendergast will be responsible for all player evaluation and recruitment for Canada’s National Junior and Under-18 development and selection camps, as well as for evaluations with the Under-17 program.

Prendergast will report to and work very closely with Brad Pascall, vice-president of Hockey Operations/National Teams as well as Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior director of Hockey Operations/National Teams, and the team coaching staffs in assembling rosters for selections camps and/or events.

Prendergast’s upcoming focus will be evaluation of players that are eligible to represent Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, which takes place from Dec. to Jan. in Buffalo and Niagara, N.Y., and the player evaluations for the 2011 IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship, which is scheduled for next April 14-24 in Germany.

“We are very happy to welcome Kevin Prendergast to Hockey Canada as our Program of Excellence head scout,” said Brad Pascall, vice-president of Hockey Operations/National Teams for Hockey Canada. “Kevin’s vast experience in scouting and player evaluation, along with his strong contacts, make him an ideal candidate for our organization as we continue to strive for excellence with our men’s national teams.”

For Hockey Canada, Prendergast previously served as director of player personnel for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2002 IIHF World Championship in Sweden, in addition to his work evaluating players for the National Men’s Team that represented Canada on home ice at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.

“I’m honoured to have been named head scout of Hockey Canada’s men’s Program of Excellence,” Prendergast said. “I’m excited about assisting Canada continue to set the standard for hockey excellence around the world.”

Prendergast replaces Al Murray (Regina, Sask.), who stepped down from the role last month to take a position as director of amateur scouting with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. Murray served as head scout of Hockey Canada’s men’s Program of Excellence for three years, from August 2007 through August 2010. The men’s Program of Excellence serves as a stepping stone to Hockey Canada’s National Men’s Team.