Team Canada East, of the inaugural World Junior A Hockey Challenge scheduled for Yorkton and Humboldt , Saskatchewan in November 2006, has named their assistant coaches.
Marty Abrams of the Wellington Dukes in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and Troy Ryan of the Pictou County Weeks Crushers in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, will assist head coach Jerome Dupont of the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League at the first-ever World Junior A Hockey Challenge.
The two assistant coaches have extensive Junior A coaching experience and bring unique perspectives to this important hockey event for the CJAHL. Both coaches have had recent success as head coach of their respective clubs. Abrams led Wellington to a 33-8-6-2 record during the regular season and a second round playoff appearance. Ryan led the Crushers to a 31-19-5-1 record during the 2005 / 06 MJAHL season. Both coaches are anxiously looking forward to the World Junior A Hockey Challenge later this year.
“The opportunity to represent Canada at a tournament of this magnitude is certainly a special opportunity,” stated Abrams. “I will take this responsibility of assisting coach Jerome Dupont very seriously, and I look forward to this exciting tournament showcasing elite Junior A talent”.
“I am honored to be selected as one of Eastern Canada ‘s top Junior A coaches”, admitted Ryan. “Team East will be a good hockey club as I intend to serve in my role as assistant coach to the best of my abilities. I sincerely look forward to the inaugural event this November.”
Director of Operations Paul Currie is very pleased to have the coaching staff of Team East solidified.
“Brent Ladds and I are very proud to have Troy Ryan and Marty Abrams as assistant coaches for Team East”, beamed Currie. Both of these gentlemen are very successful head coaches of Junior A hockey organizations, and will be integral in assisting Head Coach Jerome Dupont in our quest to be the gold medal winning team in the 2006 World Junior A Challenge.”
