Sarnia Sting head coach Alan Letang will lead Canada's U-18 team at the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
On Wednesday, Letang was named head coach of the hockey club that will compete in Slovakia and Czechia beginning July 31 -- the medal rounds are set for August 5.
Letang was an assistant coach for the 2022 team that won gold. He also served as an assistant on Canada's 2023 and 2020 gold-medal winning world junior teams.
Letang, 47, was named Sarnia's bench boss in 2021, and he recently inked a three-year extension. The Sting are coming off of their most successful season in franchise history after making an appearance in the Western Conference Final.
Other members of this year's U-18 coaching staff include Kelowna's Kris Mallette (assistant), Drummondville's Sylvain Favreau (assistant), goaltending consultant Justin Pogge, and video coach James Emery.
Before the tournament starts, Letang will join Team Canada in Budapest, Hungary to practice from July 23 to July 27. Team Canada will face off against Hungary’s national under 20 team on July 27, then play Czechia on July 29 in Breclav as part of its pre-tournament schedule.
Canada will open the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on July 31 at 1 p.m.
With files from Melanie Irwin
