Wellington Dukes head coach Derek Smith has been named an assistant coach for Team Canada East at the upcoming World Junior A Challenge in Cornwall from Dec. 11 to 18.
Smith will serve on the staff with head coach Billy McGuigan from Summerside of the Maritime Hockey League and fellow assistants Mark Jooris of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Burlington Cougars and Kyle Markaric of Ottawa from the Central Canada Hockey League.
The 2022 World Junior A Challenge represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League, NHL Central Scouting, the local host committee and features two Canadian teams – East and West – along with Latvia, Sweden and the United States.
Players who have been invited to Canada East’s selection camp include Dukes goaltender Ethan Morrow and forward Matheson Mason as well as Trenton Golden Hawks forward Matthew Cato.
Selection camp will take place from Dec. 5 to 7 in Cornwall.
Canada East’s staff also includes athletic therapist Leah Toffelmire from the Dukes.
Canada East will look to win its first gold medal after having earning silver six times (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2019) and bronze once (2008).