CALGARY, ALBERTA – The Canadian Hockey Association, in conjunction with the Canadian Hockey League, announced on Tuesday that George Burnett, Head Coach and General Manager of the OHL’s Oshawa Generals will be the Head Coach of Canada’s National Under 18 Summer Team for the Six Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic in August, 2001.

Burnett, 38, joined the Generals this past season after one year as an Assistant Coach with the NHL’s Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Burnett led the OHL’s Guelph Storm to a League Championship in 1997-98 and was the Head Coach of the Edmonton Oilers in 1994-95. Burnett also led the Cape Breton Oilers to the AHL Championship in 1993.

"I am thrilled about the opportunity to coach Canada’s National Under 18 Team," said Burnett. "This summers’ development camp and participation in the Six Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic will be an important step in identifying and preparing players for future events such the World Under 18 Championship next spring and the World Junior Championship."

The CHA and the CHL also announced the appointment of Burnett’s assistant coaches with the 2002 National Under 18 Team: Jim Hulton, head coach of the OHL’s Belleville Bulls and Guy Lalonde, head coach of the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL.

The CHA recently announced that Canada will participate in two major international Under 18 events starting this season. Burnett, Hulton and Lalonde have been named to coach the National Under 18 Summer Team, which participates in the Six Nations Tournament in August.

Canada will play in it’s first ever IIHF World Under 18 Championship in April, 2002 in Slovakia along with 11 other counitries. The coaching staff for the World Under 18 Team has not been named. The National Junior Team Policy Committee will establish the selection process for the World Under 18 Team staff and players over the next few months.

Hulton, 31, an NCCP Intermediate certified coach, led Belleville to their 1st ever OHL Eastern Conference regular season championship in 2000-2001. Hulton joined the Bulls for the 2000-2001 after a season and a half as Head Coach of the OHL's Mississauga Ice Dogs.

Lalonde, 51, and NCCP Advanced I certified coach, just completed his 1st season as Head Coach with Hull (QC), after serving as an assistant coach for two seasons. This will be the first international coaching experience for both Hulton and Lalonde.
Canada has participated in an August Under 18 Tournament in Europe since 1997, capturing gold at all four events. The coaching staff led by Burnett, will guide the team through a Development Camp and the Six Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic, from August 13-19, 2001.

In the next week to ten days, the CHA and the CHL, along with Director, Scouting of the CHA Barry Trapp will name the list of players invited to the National Under 18 Development Camp. Details for the National Under 18 Team’s Development Camp in August will also be announced soon.