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Raiders Head Coach Ryan McDonald is getting set to represent Canada for the third straight year. (Image Credit: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)
Third straight year representing Canada

Raiders Head Coach McDonald joins familiar coaching staff at Hlinka-Gretzky Cup

Jul 9, 2026 | 9:49 AM

For the third straight year, Prince Albert Raiders Head Coach Ryan McDonald is set to represent Canada. For the last two seasons, he has won gold, first as an assistant coach, then as head coach for Team Canada at the U17 World Hockey Challenge. 

Now he’s going to be an assistant coach at the prestigious Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. 

“Just a tremendous honour. Again, a privilege to be a part of a staff like that, and we’re looking forward to the tournament.” 

The U18 tournament put on by the Czech Ice Hockey Association, Slovak Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada is set for August 3-8 in Edmonton this year. Canada will be looking for their 26th gold medal in the tournament after being held to a bronze last year. 

It’ll be a different challenge for McDonald to step on the bench at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup compared to the U17s, but it’s a challenge McDonald is looking forward to. 

“They’re all big in their own way, and again, it’s a tremendous opportunity for myself and our club, and again, a tremendous honour whenever you have an opportunity to represent your country.” 

Lead by the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Battalion Head Coach Ryan Oulahen, McDonald joins a coaching staff that also includes former Raider Kyle Chipchura, who’s currently an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oil Kings, and will also be an assistant coach. The two of them coached against each other on opposing Team Canadas during the U17s last year. 

Also included on the coaching staff are Saskatoon Blades goaltending coach Jeff Harvey and the newly promoted head coach of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads Brad MacKenzie who will serve as an assistant coach. McDonald is excited to work with this group that is already quite familiar with each other. 

“I had the luxury of working with Brad at U17s a couple of years ago, and again, tremendous coach, and really looking forward to the opportunity of working with him again. Same thing with Kyle, continuing to work with him; last year, we worked against each other at Red versus White. And also, the goalie coach up the street from Saskatoon…Jeff Harvey. He was our goalie coach last year for a U17 team. So really excited to have another opportunity to work with Jeff as well.” 

This will be the third time McDonald has represented Canada as a coach. He was also a player for the Canada during the U17 World Challenge in 2004. McDonald has won gold each time. 

nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com