CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that player registration in Canada has grown for a fourth-consecutive season, with over 603,000 players registered in sanctioned programs for the 2024-25 season.

It was also a record-setting season for women’s and girls’ hockey in Canada, as the more than 115,000 players registered marked the highest number of participants in Canadian history.

“This is such an exciting time for hockey in Canada, and we are very encouraged that the number of Canadians registering to play, coach and officiate our National Winter Sport is consistently growing each season,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “Thank you to our Members, partners and volunteers across the country for your tremendous contributions to grow the game, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve a healthier hockey for all Canadians.”

In the 2024-25 season, there was player growth with 12 of Hockey Canada’s 13 Members, an overall 2.4% increase in participants and a 3.7% growth of players who identify as Black, Indigenous or Persons of Colour.

The average retention rate for players aged five to 16 surpassed 90%, which is the highest it has been since the 2010-11 season, and over 70,000 new players registered to play hockey across the country.

Since 2022, Hockey Canada has experienced a 30% growth in women and girls playing the game, and 12% with men and boys.

Full player, coach and official registration data, including a detailed breakdown by Member and Age Division, will be shared as part of Hockey Canada’s Annual Report in the fall.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

Hockey Canada has announced the management group that will lead the Hockey Canada Officiating Program through the 2026-27 season.

Dan Coles (Sherwood Park, AB), Matthew Fergenbaum (Thornhill, ON), Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton, AB), Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, ON) and Sean Tobin (Goulds, NL) will work alongside officiating manager Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC) and officiating coordinator Megan Howes (Burnaby, BC) to oversee the program.

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Hockey Canada referee-in-chief Todd Robinson (Sackville, NS) announced his retirement, having served in the role since 2017. Through consultations with its 13 Members, Hockey Canada determined a new structure was required to lead the Officiating Program. The creation of a management group, staffed by individuals with focused mandates in their area of expertise, was identified as a key step forward for the program.

“Hockey Canada is grateful to Todd Robinson for his years of dedicated service to our officials,” said Hanoomansingh. “As Todd prepared to step down, it was clear that the size and diversity of the Officiating Program required multiple experts in positions of leadership. Our Members were supportive of this new direction and we are looking forward to seeing the program develop under the leadership of our new management group.”

Dan Coles will serve in the position of Officiating Education Lead and take responsibility for the development of the officiating curriculum and assisting in the development and delivery of training for officiating instructors. Coles began officiating with the St. Albert MHA at the age of 13 and has served in a variety of leadership roles across the officiating program, including as an assigner, clinic instructor and referee-in-chief. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, with a specialization in educational technology. Away from the rink, Coles has worked as a teacher and principal, primarily in physical education and mathematics, and currently works with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, focusing on labour relations and supporting teachers.

Matthew Fergenbaum takes on the role of Para Officiating Lead, supporting the Members with recruitment and development of officials for para hockey, as well as identifying and training officials for competitions sanctioned by World Para Ice Hockey (WPIH). Fergenbaum brings over two decades of on-ice officiating experience, including two Paralympic Winter Games and eight world championships. In the past year, he has become integral to the development of WPIH’s officiating staff, leading their officiating camp in South Korea, and will continue his work in parallel to this role with Hockey Canada.

Fraser Lawrence will take the role of OPOE Men’s Head Coach, leading the development of high-performance officials in the men’s hockey stream of the Officiating Program of Excellence. Lawrence recently finished a glittering on-ice career, officiating league championships in the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League, as well as the Canada Winter Games, two IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2022 IIHF World Championship. While pursuing success in business as a senior sales executive, Lawrence has continued his involvement in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League, as well as participating in Hockey Canada’s 2024 Men’s Elite Development Camp and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Lawrence will bring his focus to mentoring the next generation of Hockey Canada officials and elevating the standard across the program.

Vanessa Stratton takes on the role of OPOE Women’s Head Coach, leading the development of high-performance officials in the women’s hockey stream of the Officiating Program of Excellence. Stratton currently splits her time between roles with BC Hockey, Hockey Canada and the IIHF, where she has coached officials at the last two editions of the IIHF Women’s World Championship, as well as being part of the core coaching group for the Road to Milano Olympic preparation program. In 2023, she was also nominated to join the IIHF Officiating Committee, where she contributes to the global growth and advancement of officiating. Off the ice, Stratton works full-time at Western University and will be starting her PhD in the fall 2025 at the University of Windsor, focusing her research on the officiating ecosystem.

Sean Tobin will serve in the position of Officiating Coaching Lead and take responsibility for the development of officiating coaches and leaders at the grassroots level across the country. Tobin most recently served as a senior instructor with several Members and is the former assistant referee-in-chief of Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO). Tobin developed the YouTube series Rule of the Week, promoting better understanding of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules, and was responsible for introducing the Green Armband Initiative to HEO. Alongside his hockey work, Tobin is a registered mental health clinician with extensive leadership experience in the public sector. His professional background has helped him foster practical training, mentorship and a thoughtful approach to officiating education and coaching across Canadian hockey.

The Hockey Canada Officiating Program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game. The 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals. For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that after a successful first season, the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project will expand its scope for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on roster composition.

Announced in July 2024, the WCDM pilot project is a joint initiative between Hockey Canada’s four Western Members, their respective Junior A hockey leagues and the Western Hockey League (WHL) that prioritizes athlete development on and off the ice through four key pillars:

• Player advancement
• Roster composition
• Standard of play and rules
• Alignment and messaging

The initial season of the pilot project introduced eight changes to junior hockey in Western Canada, including increased flexibility in the development pathway for 15- and 16-year olds, the choice to wear half-face protection for players 18 years of age or older and streamlined playing rules between Junior A leagues and the WHL.

“Throughout the WCDM pilot project, the four Western Members and six junior leagues have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to bringing forward innovative and creative solutions to enhance the delivery of hockey in Western Canada for players and their families,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “The expansion of the pilot will ensure that our system continues to evolve to meet the needs of our participants, prioritizes their safety on and off the ice and produces high-quality junior hockey throughout Western Canada for years to come.”

Next season, five additional changes will be implemented as part of the pilot:

• Western Junior A teams will be permitted to register up to five U.S.-born players at one time on their active roster, a decrease from the previous six.
• 16- and 17-year-old U.S.-born players who have been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team will be eligible to be rostered by any Western Junior A team.
• Each Western Junior A team will be eligible to roster one 16- or 17-year-old player whose parent(s) reside(s) outside of their province or region, if the player has been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team.
  • Up to a maximum of 23 such players across all Western Junior A teams, or one player from each WHL team.
• Out-of-province players who participate in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) will be eligible to affiliate with Western Junior A teams in their school’s respective province or region.
• No more than eight players born in a province not participating in the WCDM may be registered on the active roster of a Western Junior A team.

Data from the WCDM pilot project will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the expectation that additional changes will be introduced in future seasons.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) have announced the first six men’s hockey players named to Team Canada for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The athletes are:

• Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL)
• Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL)
• Cale Makar (Calgary, AB/Colorado, NHL)
• Connor McDavid (Newmarket, ON/Edmonton, NHL)
• Brayden Point (Calgary, AB/Tampa Bay, NHL)
• Sam Reinhart (West Vancouver, BC/Florida, NHL)

The six athletes were selected by general manager Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), assistant general managers Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL), Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL) and Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) and head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL), with input from player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, also provided support as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“We are excited to announce the first six players who will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games next February, as these are six world-class players and leaders that are deserving of this recognition,” Armstrong said. “Sidney, Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam provide a strong foundation for a successful team and have been proven winners at all levels of their professional and international careers, and we look forward to all six being key contributors to our team as we look to accomplish our goal of winning Olympic gold.”

Crosby is a two-time Olympic champion who won back-to-back gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics Winter Games, while MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, Point and Reinhart will make their Olympic debuts at Milano Cortina 2026. All six players helped Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off championship in February, while three are former first-overall picks in the NHL Draft (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid).

Sidney Crosby has played in 1,352 games over 20 seasons (2005-25) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as captain for 18 seasons and amassing 1,687 career points (625-1,062—1,687). He has also collected 201 points (71-130—201) in 180 playoff games, helping the Penguins win three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017). Over the course of his career, Crosby has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times, the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy twice, as well as the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Internationally, he won gold (2005) and silver (2004) at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Crosby also won gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, becoming a member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club – the first to win all three as captain - and won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

“I am honoured to be named one of the first six players for Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2026 Olympics alongside Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam, as all five are incredible players and leaders,” Crosby said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympics, as I know how much pride comes with wearing the Maple Leaf on the international stage.” 

Nathan MacKinnon recently completed his 12th season (2013-25) with the Colorado Avalanche, where he has served as an alternate captain for the past nine years. He has played in 870 career games, registering 1,015 points (367-648—1,015), and has contributed 125 points (55-70—125) in 125 career playoff games. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, and has won the Calder Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. MacKinnon has worn the Maple Leaf seven times, winning gold (2015) and silver (2017) medals at the IIHF World Championship, and gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. He also suited up at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship and played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. 

Cale Makar has played in 395 career games over six seasons (2019-25) with the Avalanche, registering 428 points (116-312—428). He has also appeared in 79 career playoff games, collecting 85 points (22-63—85), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy while helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice and the Calder Trophy, as well as the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey. Internationally, he won a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, and suited up for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge twice (2015, 2016), winning a gold medal in 2015.

Connor McDavid is currently in his 10th season (2015-25) with the Edmonton Oilers, leading the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances (2024, 2025) in his ninth season as captain and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024. In 712 career games, he has registered 1,082 points (361-721—1,082), and has added 150 points (44-106—150) in 95 playoff games. McDavid has registered 100 or more points in eight different seasons, helping him win the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times, the Hart Trophy three times and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy once. He has suited up for Canada six times, winning gold at the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship, 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2016 IIHF World Championship. McDavid also played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Brayden Point has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning for his entire nine-year NHL career (2016-25), collecting 635 points (306-329—635) in 657 career games, as well as 89 points (44-45—89) in 92 playoff games. He scored 14 goals in consecutive playoff runs to help the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020, 2021). Internationally, Point has won silver at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, gold at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and bronze at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Sam Reinhart is currently in his fourth season with the Florida Panthers (2021-25) after spending seven years with the Buffalo Sabres (2014-21). He has registered 619 points (294-325—619) in 775 career games, as well as 52 points (28-24—52) in 75 career playoff games, helping Florida win the Stanley Cup in 2024. Reinhart has represented Canada eight times, winning gold (2016) and silver (2019) medals at the IIHF World Championship, gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, gold (2013) and bronze (2012) at the IIHF U18 World Championship and gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

Men’s hockey at Milano Cortina 2026 will take place Feb. 11-22, 2026 (Day 5-16), with games taking place at both the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena.

"In a time when Canada stands stronger and pushes for greater excellence, the men’s Olympic hockey team reminds us what is possible when we aim higher, together,” said Jennifer Heil, Team Canada's Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission. “Hockey’s legacy has always united Canadians, and these players continue to inspire our nation to pursue excellence with courage and pride.”

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are still subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced a three-year partnership with ISB Global Services (ISB) to enhance and optimize the organization’s safety and compliance processes, including through ISB’s oneBADGEsport platform.

oneBADGEsport is a comprehensive solution that will manage Hockey Canada’s screening requirements for national team athletes, coaches and staff, as well as employees and volunteers.

“Hockey Canada is excited to partner with ISB Global Services through an agreement that we believe will make our screening and compliance processes more efficient and beneficial to all participants,” said Natasha Johnston, vice-president of sport integrity for Hockey Canada. “We are committed to prioritizing the safety and security of our players, coaches, staff and volunteers, and oneBADGEsport will play a critical role in that moving forward.”

In addition to supporting screening requirements, oneBADGEsport will manage criminal record checks and other compliance tools, while providing real-time data to Hockey Canada.

“Hockey Canada is setting a new gold standard for safe sport in Canada, and we’re proud they’ve chosen oneBADGEsport to support that mission,” said Michael Thompson, chief commercial officer of ISB Global Services. “Our partnership shows what is possible when leaders come together to protect athletes through technology-driven oversight and advanced screening solutions.”

For more information on ISB’s oneBADGEsport, please click here.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – The Calgary Canucks have captured the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, with a dominant 7-2 win over the Melfort Mustangs in the championship game Sunday night.

One year after losing in the semifinals to Melfort, the Canucks captured Canada’s National Junior A Championship for the second time, and the first since 1995. Calgary is the 12th host team to win the national title since the start of the tournament format in 1985.

“We went from coming to the rink and hoping to win to ‘we’re going to win.’ We’ve built a culture over the last three years and I feel like that’s gone a long way,” said captain Bowden Singleton (Calgary, AB). “It starts with our coaching staff, and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys for holding the standard all year long. You never think you’re going to lose, we just said we’re going to take it shift by shift, which is different than earlier games where we start down. I thought our start was really good, I’m proud of the boys and there’s no better feeling doing this in front of friends and family. It’s everything I dreamed of.”

The Alberta Junior Hockey League champions opened the scoring when Rhett Melynk (Edmonton, AB) tucked a loose puck past Melfort goaltender Kristian Coombs (Calgary, AB) on the power play, but Ashton Paul (The Pas, MB) replied for the Mustangs before the end of the first period.

Calgary added three goals in the second period, from Hayden Fechner (Edmonton, AB), Landon Pappas (Airdrie, AB) and Nolan DuPont (Calgary, AB). Jayden Joly (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) made it 5-1 just 78 seconds into the third period, chasing Coombs from the Melfort goal after five goals on 22 shots. Madden Mulawka (Edmonton, AB) made four saves in relief.

The Mustangs – who became just the second team to lose in the final in back-to-back years, joining the 2014-15 Carleton Place Canadians – got a second goal from Zayden Sadlemyer (Buena Vista, SK) with 14 minutes left, but they would get no closer.

Fechner finished with two goals and an assist, Joly had a goal and two helpers and Gavin Schmidt (Okotoks, AB) contributed three assists. Lukas Renaud (Naples, FL) was terrific in goal, finishing with 27 saves for the Canucks, who went three-for-four on the power play.

“The guys, to a man, bought in. Everyone gave us what they needed, whether that was in practice, minimal ice time or whatever it was, and they all play for each other and that’s the main reason we’re here - we don’t have individuals,” said Calgary head coach Brad Moran. “For the organization to get back after being close last year, we weren’t satisfied and the guys that were there helped push us over the top. It’s a pretty special moment, especially the guys that have been through it.”

Full game stats are available HERE.

Game highlights can be downloaded HERE.

Before the championship game, the tournament award winners were announced:

• Most Valuable Player: Anthony Hall (Sherbrooke, QC) – Rockland Nationals
• Top Forward: Anthony Hall (Sherbrooke, QC) – Rockland Nationals
• Top Defenceman: Nathan Maloney (Strathmore, AB) – Calgary Canucks
• Top Goaltender: Ashton Sadauskas (Parksville, BC) – Kam River Fighting Walleye
• Most Sportsmanlike Player: Lincoln Moore (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Greater Sudbury Cubs

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Hockey Canada has announced that two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL) will wear the ‘C’ for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, set for May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark.

IIHF World Championship gold medallists and Stanley Cup champions Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL) and Ryan O’Reilly (Varna, ON/Nashville, NHL) will serve alongside Crosby as alternate captains.

“It is an honour to be named captain for the 2025 IIHF World Championship on a team that has so many great leaders and players, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at Men’s Worlds for the first time since 2015,” Crosby said. “Nathan and Ryan are amazing leaders on and off the ice, and I look forward to serving on the leadership group with them. Our entire team is excited to play for Team Canada and wear the Maple Leaf with pride as we attempt to accomplish our goal of winning a gold medal.”

Canada will open the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

For more information on the 2025 IIHF World Championship, please visit the official tournament website at IIHF.com.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the first 15 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark.

The initial roster, which includes one goaltender, five defencemen and nine forwards, was selected by general manager Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. A selection committee of four NHL executives – Dennis Bonvie (Antigonish, NS/Boston, NHL), Gregory Campbell (Tillsonburg, ON/Florida, NHL), Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, ON/Colorado, NHL) and Jason Spezza (Mississauga, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) – also assisted with player selections.

Among the 15 players are eight who have previously suited up for Canada at the IIHF World Championship (Fantilli, Horvat, Johnson, Konecny, Montour, O’Reilly, Sanheim, Weegar) and two who won the championship at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off (Konecny, Sanheim). The initial roster also includes 11 players who have represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Celebrini, Cuylle, Dobson, Fantilli, Foerster, Garand, Hayton, Horvat, Johnson, Konecny, Sanheim).

“We are excited to unveil the first 15 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, as this a very competitive and talented group that provides a strong foundation of NHL and international experience and success,” Dubas said. “We know these 15 players will give our team a chance to compete for a gold medal as they represent Canada with pride in Stockholm and Herning, and we look forward to continuing to build our roster ahead of the world championship following the conclusion of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks pending the results of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs.

In addition, seven players will join Canada’s National Men’s Team for its pre-tournament camp in Vienna and Budapest – Nicolas Beaudin (Châteauguay, QC/HC Kometa Brno, Czech Extraliga), Zach Boychuk (Airdrie, AB/Eisbären Berlin, DEL), Harrison Brunicke (Calgary, AB/Kamloops, WHL), Porter Martone (Peterborough, ON/Brampton, OHL), Zayne Parekh (Nobleton, ON/Saginaw, OHL), Brendan Perlini (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Lausanne HC, NL) and Ty Ronning (Burnaby, BC/Eisbären Berlin, DEL).

Canada will open the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games against in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

Since 1931, Canada has collected 28 gold medals at the world championship, to go along with 16 silver and seven bronze. 

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – With less than two weeks until the puck drops at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, Hockey Canada has named the coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s National Men’s Team in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, May 9-25.

After serving as an assistant coach at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, Dean Evason (Flin Flon, MB/Columbus, NHL) returns for the second-straight year to take the reins as head coach. He will be joined by assistant coaches Andrew Brunette (Sudbury, ON/Nashville, NHL), Ryan Huska (Cranbrook, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Steve McCarthy (Trail, BC/Columbus, NHL), and director of performance analysis James Emery (Calgary, AB).

The staff was selected by general manager Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, with input from Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), executive director of Canada’s National Men’s Team.

“Dean, Andrew, Ryan and Steve are excellent NHL coaches that bring many years of professional experience and leadership, and we are thrilled that they will lead Team Canada at the 2025 world championship,” Dubas said. “Our coaching staff will also be supported by an elite support staff that has many years of NHL experience, as well as experience at several world championships and Olympics, and we know our entire staff will create an environment for our players to succeed and wear the Maple Leaf with pride in Stockholm and Herning.”

Evason recently finished his first season as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets following six seasons as an assistant coach (2018-20) and head coach (2020-24) of the Minnesota Wild. He was also an assistant with the Washington Capitals (2005-12) and spent six seasons (2012-18) as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to his professional coaching career, Evason was the head coach of the Kamloops Blazers (1999-2002), Vancouver Giants (2002-04) and Calgary Hitmen (2004-05) of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and was an assistant with the Hitmen for one season (1998-99). As a player, he played in 803 NHL games with the Capitals, Hartford Whalers, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. Internationally, he wore the Maple Leaf at the 1984 IIHF World Junior Championship, suited up in 56 games with Canada’s National Men’s Team during the 1996-97 season and captained Canada to a gold medal at the 1997 IIHF World Championship.

Brunette has served as head coach of the Nashville Predators for the past two seasons (2023-25) and is slated to make his international coaching debut at Men’s Worlds. He was also an associate coach with the New Jersey Devils for one season (2022-23) and was an assistant with the Florida Panthers for parts of three seasons (2019-21) before being named interim head coach during the 2021-22 season. Brunette also spent time with the Minnesota Wild, serving as director of player personnel (2018-19), assistant general manager (2017-18), special assistant to the GM (2016-17, 2012-14) and assistant coach (2014-16). As a player, he played in 1,109 NHL games over 16 seasons with the Washington Capitals, Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Wild, Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks.

Huska recently completed his second season (2023-25) as head coach of the Calgary Flames after serving as an assistant for five seasons (2018-23). Prior to joining the Flames, he was the head coach of the AHL’s Adirondack Flames/Stockton Heat for four seasons (2014-18) and spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach (2002-07) and head coach (2007-14) of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Internationally, he served as an assistant with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2011 and 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships, winning silver and bronze, respectively.

McCarthy is set to make his international coaching debut. He has served as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets for four seasons (2021-25) after five years (2016-21) as an assistant with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. As a player, McCarthy played 302 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Thrashers. He also won bronze medals with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2000 and 2001 IIHF World Junior Championships, serving as captain in 2001, and won gold with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 1998 Four Nations Cup.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship includes:

• Sport physiotherapist Kent Kobelka (Revelstoke, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Athletic therapist Kevin Elliott (Charlottetown, PE/Pittsburgh, NHL)
• Massage therapist Andy Hüppi (Schmerikon, SUI)
• Team physician Dr. Ian Auld (Victoria, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Equipment managers Paul Boyer (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Detroit, NHL) and Blair Smook (Airdrie, AB)
• Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ennismore, ON/Ottawa, OHL)
• Managers of hockey operations Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
• Coordinator of hockey operations Miah Armitage (Creston, BC)
• Media relations director Sean Kelso (Vancouver, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, ON)

Canada will open Men’s Worlds against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced an expanded partnership with SportsPay that will see the organization become the Exclusive Payment Partner for all transactions involving the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR), which is recognized as the premier system for hockey registration and management in Canada.

Most recently Hockey Canada’s Preferred Payment Partner, SportsPay facilitates seamless and secure online transactions and provides a smooth payment experience for its users while using the HCR.

“The Hockey Canada Registry processes hundreds of thousands of registrations for participants across the country each season, and the expansion of our partnership with SportsPay will ensure that the user experience for our participants and associations continues to be world-class,” said Jesse Albers, vice-president of operations for Hockey Canada. “We appreciate SportsPay’s longstanding commitment to supporting amateur hockey in Canada and look forward to working together for many years to come.”

A leading payment provider for amateur sports organizations in Canada, SportsPay was also a proud supporter of the Beyond the Boards Summit in November 2024, which examined outcomes of unhealthy hockey culture.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.