Gilles Bouchard, who just started the season as the Sherbrooke Phoenix’s new head coach, will have other responsibilities as he has been named to the leadership group of the Canadian team that will compete in the Junior World Championships on Friday.
The 52-year-old will support Alan Letang in his duties. The latter is being promoted to chief instructor after serving as an assistant when the Maple Leaf won gold at the Maritimes last year.
In addition to Bouchard, the Sarnia Sting pilot will count on Shaun Clouston (Kamloops Blazers) and Scott Walker (Guelph Storm).
The man who spent the last five years as an assistant coach with the Syracuse Crunch in the American League returned through the front door to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Bouchard has represented Canada at the World Under-17 Challenge three times.
• Also read: Overpriced tickets to see Connor Bedard in Saturday’s game against the Canadiens
• Also read: WATCH: Brad Marchand welcomes Connor Bedard in his own way
Before his adventure with the Tampa Bay Lightning farm club, the Quebecer led the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to the Gilles Courteau Trophy in 2016.
Additionally, former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook will be part of the Canadian team’s leadership group.
The 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships will take place from December 26th to January 5th in Gothenburg, Sweden.