Kisio to lead Team Canada at the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup

Earlier today Hockey Canada announced that Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio would lead the team headed to the Czech Republic for the annual Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament. Brent has been the head coach of the Hurricanes over the last two seasons, compiling a record of 90-45-5-4 in the regular season while sporting a 11-14 playoff record. He previously spent eight years behind the bench as an assistant/associate coach of the Calgary Hitmen.

Before the departure of the original head coach, Paul McFarland, Kisio was named as an assistant coach for the 2017 Ivan Hlinka tournament. He has previous experience with Team Canada’s Program of Excellence, coaching the 2016 World U17 Team Canada White and the 2014 World U17 Team Pacific.

This left an open spot for an assistant coach which was filled by Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) coach Drew Bannister. The U18 Ivan Hlinka tournament opens on August 7th, 2017 in Breclav and Bratslava, Czech Republic. Canada will face Russia to open the tournament as part of group B. Kisio will be trying to help Hockey Canada rebound from last year, when they finished sixth after they had won gold every year from 2008-2015.