West Named To World Junior A Challenge Coaching Staff

Hockey Canada has announced today that Surrey Eagles head coach Brandon West will be one of the coaches representing Canada West at this year’s World Junior ‘A’ Challenge. The team’s head coach will be Rick Swan (Bonnyville, AJHL) and West will be an assistant alongside Joe Martin (Merritt, BCHL). The annual tournament will take place this year in Bonnyville, Alberta – which also hosted the event in 2016.

The event is set to take place this year from December 9th to 15th, during a stretch in which the Eagles have three games scheduled – one at home vs Salmon Arm, and two on the road in Prince George. The team will rely on assistant coaches Linden Saip and Peter Schaefer to run operations behind the bench for those games.

CJHL president Brent Ladds commented on the coaching staff selection in a press release:

“The coaches selected to lead Team Canada East and Team Canada West demonstrate the level of talent and strength we have in those key leadership and mentorship roles within the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Their participation as part of the two Canadian teams at the World Junior A Challenge will not only be beneficial to the players they’ll be working with, but to their club teams as they bring what they’ve learned from each other back home.”

The 33-year-old West took over as head coach of the Eagles last season, leading the team to a 26-22-8 record. He coached the Eagles to their first playoff appearance in four seasons, and first series win since 2013.

The Eagles will be hitting the ice on August 20th for training camp, with exhibition dates to be announced soon. The season officially kicks off on September 7th at home against the Coquitlam Express. Season tickets and special 5-game ticket packs are available now!

Stay tuned to SurreyEagles.ca for more news and information as the summer continues.