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

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.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

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

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