Saturday, September 06, 2008

Hockey Canada selects a veteran hand to guide the youngsters


Over the years Pat Quinn has found working with Canada’s national hockey talent to be quite an enjoyable experience, from Spengler cup appearances to world and Olympic medal games.

Most recently he spent his spring in Russia as he guided Canada's entry at the world under-18 championships this past April.

And Hockey Canada faced with the need to find a new head coach for their junior squad as soon as possible, are finding that the veteran Mr. Quinn fits their immediate needs quite nicely.

The job of head coach of Canada’s national junior team was bestowed on Quinn this week, a position he’ll be quite happy to saddle up for, providing him with a chance to return to the game that is in his blood and a chance to span some generations as he reveals the deep reservoir of hockey knowledge to the nations Christmas time heroes.

Hockey Canada found themselves on the recruiting drive last month when Benoit Groulx stepped down from his promotion in order to chase fame and glory in the AHL with the Rochester Americans.

Quinn while not overtly lobbying for the position, had let it be known over the last few weeks that he was interested in the possibility of helping to keep Canada’s National Junior program on track with a string of championships set for the homeland over the next few years.

For the Juniors it will be a remarkable opportunity to live a little history, if only by osmosis, having Quinn on the ice and in the dressing room offering advice, strategy and evaluation should make them better players and a very prepared and focused group seeking out Gold over the Christmas holidays.

Hockey Canada-- Pat Quinn named head coach of Canada's National Junior Squad
Ottawa Sun-- The Mighty Quinn

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