Hockey Canada announced Tuesday that Soo Greyhounds head coach John Dean will serve as an assistant coach for Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team that will compete in the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship from April 20-30 in Basel and Porrentruy, Switzerland.
Originally hired by the Greyhounds on July 12, 2018, the Don Mills, Ont. native recently completed his fifth year and fourth season with the Hounds. Sault Ste. Marie played to a mark of 20-33-9-6 this past season, appearing in a total of 19 games beyond regulation that were decided by one goal.
Joining Dean behind Canada’s bench will be head coach Jeff Truitt of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, fellow assistant Bruce Richardson of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and goaltending coach Justin Pogge of Wolfsburg in the German Elite League.
Canada opens the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship against Sweden on April 20 at 8:30 a.m. ET/5:30 a.m. PT. It will also take on Germany on April 21, Slovakia on April 23 and Czechia on April 24 to round out the preliminary round before the tournament wraps up with the bronze and gold medal games on April 30. TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast select tournament games, including all Team Canada games.
Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).
For the full announcement, visit hockeycanada.ca.
Looking for G-O-L-D 🏅.
Congratulations to HC John Dean who has been named Assistant Coach with @HockeyCanada at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
Full release at https://t.co/F9mbXEaJGJ pic.twitter.com/uelA6FmsF0— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) April 11, 2023
