Former Axemen Assistant Ryan Named Assistant for Team Canada East Jr A Challenge

Campbellton Tigers Jr A Coach returning to familiar territory

Story by Will MacLaren – posted originally on themhl.ca 2014-08-27

The bench boss of the Campbellton Tigers has been named an assistant coach for Team Canada East at the 2014 World Jr.A Challenge. This year’s tournament takes place from Dec.14-20 in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.

Ryan, the 42 year old Halifax native, will be making his fifth appearance as assistant in the tournament, previous serving in the same role from 2006-2009. As well, the long time MHL and CIS coach and executive served as the Canada East’s General Manager in 2010.

Despite being there before, the chance to participate in the event is one that never gets old for Ryan.

“Anytime you have the opportunity to work with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League it is a privilege and honour,” he said. “I am looking forward to representing the Campbellton Tigers and the Maritime Hockey League on an International stage. I would like to thank the selection committee, the Maritime hockey league, and the Campbellton Tigers organization for helping provide this opportunity.”

Ryan has more than a decade of coaching experience in the MHL and university hockey, winning MHL Coach of the Year and Hockey Nova Scotia Coach of the Year in 2007-08, and leading the Pictou County Crushers to an appearance at the RBC Cup in 2008.

In addition to Ryan, Team Canada East will feature head coach Marty Abrams (Wellington Dukes – OJHL) and assistants Mark Grady (Smith Falls – CCHL) and Marc Lafleur (Kirkland Lake – NOJHL). The staff is hoping to help Team Canada East rebound from a disappointing sixth place finish at the 2013 tournament in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Fortunately for Ryan, currently in his second season as head coach of the Tigers after a stint behind the bench at St. Thomas University, not only is he familiar with the tournament, he’s familiar not only with the tournament itself, but with the coaches he’ll be working alongside.

“I have worked with the other coaches that were selected and I am hopeful that, together we can build a great program and hopefully bring success to Team Canada East,” he said.

Canada East has appeared in four of the eight gold medal games at the World Junior A Challenge, winning silver in 2006 (Yorkton/Humboldt, Sask.), 2007 (Trail/Nelson, B.C.), 2010 (Penticton, B.C.), and 2011 (Langley, B.C.), and bronze in 2008 (Camrose, Alta.). Canada East finished fourth in 2009 (Summerside, P.E.I.) and 2012 (Yarmouth, N.S.).

For more information on the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/wjrac and www.twitter.com/hc_wjac.

Will MacLaren – themhl.ca