Last week the Rochester Americans of the AHL tabbed Benoit Groulx to be their head coach for the up-coming season. Groulx, who was previously the coach of the QMJHL champion Gatineau Olympiques, had already committed to being the head coach of the Canadian Major Junior Team this winter.
Groulx stated that now since his attention has turned to the Americans he would not be able to hold true to his word and stay with Team Canada. At the moment the Canadians will enter the tournament in Ottawa with no head coach.
The question now is who would be the best choice as the replacement to Groulx. Although he has was an assistant coach during the 2007 Super Series Groulx was never a head coach with the program of excellence. Brent Sutter coached the team in '05 and '06 while Craig Hartsburg took over for '07 and '08. Both are now coaching in the NHL with New Jersey and Ottawa respectively.
Some could argue that the Canadian team has a lot of talent and will win the WJHC no matter who's standing behind the bench. On the other hand I believe that coaching was crucial in the four previous wins and will be just as important this year.
Here's a list of five CHL coaches who will be able to coach Canada to victory in Ottawa in December.
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5. George Burnett, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
With the Belleville Bulls facing a 3-1 deficit in the OHL Finals last season Burnett found a way to spark his team into knotting up the series. The hardest part wasn't the rebound itself—it was convincing his players not to give up even though they already had a Memorial Cup berth. Burnett has coached at the Memorial Cup twice and has once lead Canada to a gold medal at the U-18 championship in 2001.
4. Don Hay, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Hay has a great resume that reads action in most North American leagues. He has coached major-junior, minor-pro and has also spent two seasons in the NHL. With three Memorial Cups and one WJHC gold medal to his name Hay should definitely be considered to occupy the head coaching position of Team Canada.
3. Stan Butler, Brampton Battalion (OHL)
This may seem like a blast-from-the-past to anybody who follows Canadian junior hockey. Butler, who finished his 10th straight season with the Battalion, has already gained experience by coaching the national team in 2000 and 2001. Although his experience wasn't one to remember Butler still has a lot to offer young players in the means of discipline, leadership and having a team-first attitude.
2. Dale Hunter, London Knights (OHL)
Better known for his on-ice antics, Dale Hunter and the London Knights have enjoyed much success after Hunter became co-owner and head coach of the team in 2001. In 2004-05 his Knights set a franchise milestone by boasting a 79-9-2 combined record. Hunter is great at working with young talent especially when it comes to bringing a team together. The best feature we have seen from the London Knights this decade is Hunter's ability to sell a team-game to his players. Hopefully Hunter would be able to bring some of that success over to the WJHC this year.
1. Brian Kilrea, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
There's no question in my mind that I think he is possibly one of the best coaches in hockey history. "Killer" has been behind the 67's bench since 1974 and is showing no signs of slowing down. During his tenure he has won two Memorial Cups, three OHL championships and have been finalists five other times. The all-time winningest coach in Canadian Hockey League history has all the knowledge and tools that is needed for Team Canada to operate like a well-oiled machine once again.
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