Hockey Canada has named its coaching staff for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Ryan Oulahen (North Bay, OHL), who served as an assistant coach at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton when Canada last won gold, will take the reins as head coach as Canada looks for its 26th summer U18 gold medal. Ryan McDonald (Prince Albert, WHL), Brad MacKenzie (Halifax, QMJHL) and Kyle Chipchura (Edmonton, WHL) will serve as assistant coaches, with goaltending coach Jeff Harvey (Saskatoon, WHL) and video coach Matthew Smith (Newfoundland, QMJHL).
The coaching staff was selected by Program of Excellence general manager Alan Millar, Yanick Lemay, assistant general manager of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, and Benoit Roy, director of hockey operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan, Ryan, Brad and Kyle to the staff for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup,” said Millar. “Each brings a pedigree of coaching experience, particularly in short-term international competition, which will be a tremendous asset as we prepare for the tournament.
“We’re excited to continue the process of building a team and working with a group of players who will proudly represent Canada and showcase their talent to hockey fans in Edmonton in August.”
Oulahen just completed his seventh season as head coach of the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and second season as assistant general manager.
Prior to joining North Bay, he spent three seasons as head coach of the OHL’s Flint Firebirds and six seasons as an assistant coach with the Battalion (2010-16). Oulahen has previously served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, winning a gold medal in 2024 and 2018.
He also served as an assistant coach at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Canada Red (2014) and Canada Black (2015), and as head coach of Canada White (2017).
The tournament will be played August 3-8 in Edmonton and can be seen live on TSN.
