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WHL Regina Pats

Pats Equipment Manager Cochran Named to Canada's Staff for 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship

November 9, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Calgary, Alta. - Hockey Canada announced their staff for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on Wednesday, with Regina Pats Equipment Manager Gord Cochran named to their support staff.

Cochran, joined the Pats prior to the 2014-2015 season, and returns for his ninth season with the Pats. The Williams Lake, B.C. product has more than a decade of junior hockey experience, starting his career with the Williams Lake Timberwolves in 2006 before moving onto the Vernon Vipers in 2008, and later winning a RBC Cup in 2010. He has also worked with Hockey Canada at U17 and U18 levels.

After helping Canada to a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship as an assistant coach, Dennis Williams (Stratford, Ont./Everett, WHL) returns to take the reins as head coach. He will be joined by assistant coaches Stéphane Julien (Shawinigan, Que./Sherbrooke, QMJHL), Brent Kisio (Calgary, Alta./Lethbridge, WHL) and Alan Letang (Renfrew, Ont./Sarnia, OHL), as well as goaltending consultant Kelly Guard (Prince Albert, Sask./Prince Albert, WHL) and video coach James Emery (Calgary, Alta.).

The coaching staff was selected by Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, James Boyd (Midland, Ont./Ottawa, OHL), who returns as the U20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group after helping assemble the team that won gold at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, and Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations.

The support staff that will work with Canada's National Junior Team at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship includes:

* Athletic therapists Kevin Elliott (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) and Andy Brown (Owen Sound, Ont./Owen Sound, OHL) * Team physician Dr. R.J. Mackenzie (Albert Bridge, N.S./Cape Breton, QMJHL) * Equipment managers Gord Cochran (Williams Lake, B.C./Regina, WHL) and Chris Cook (Ottawa, Ont./Hamilton, OHL) * Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ennismore, Ont./Ottawa, OHL) * Mental performance consultant Luke Madill (Kirkland, Que.) * Manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.) * Senior coordinator of hockey operations Natalie Gerstmar (Calgary, Alta.) * Coordinator of hockey operations Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, Man.) * Security liaison Bob Martin (London, Ont./London, OHL) * Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, Ont.)

"The coaching and support staff for Canada's National Junior Team is a well-rounded, experienced group that have been integral to the recent success of Hockey Canada's national teams," said Salmond. "We know these individuals will play a major role in the success of our team at the World Juniors, and we look forward to the opportunity to once again compete for a gold medal on home ice in Halifax and Moncton."

Canada's National Junior Team will gather at the Avenir Centre in Moncton for a four-day selection camp, Dec. 9-12, before selecting a final roster ahead of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The selection camp roster will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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