Island seasonal resident named National Men’s U18 hockey coach
MANITOULIN—Drew Bannister, a seasonal resident on Manitoulin Island, has been named the coach for the National Men’s Under-18 hockey championship.
With less than a month until the puck drops at the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) U18 Men’s World Championship, Hockey Canada has announced the staff that will build and guide Canada’s team in Bratislava and Trencin, Slovakia.
“Former National Hockey League (NHL) bench boss Drew Bannister (Belleville) will serve as head coach, working alongside assistant coaches Matt Anholt (Prince Albert, SK/Lethbridge, Western Hockey League) and Mark O’Leary (Owen Sound, Ontario/Moose Jaw, WHL), goaltending coach Dan De Palma (Kamloops, BC/Kamloops, WHL), who returns for the third-consecutive year, and video coach Ryan Aasman (Medicine Hat, AB/Lethbridge, WHL).
This post is for paying subscribers only
Subscribe now and have access to all our stories, enjoy exclusive content and stay up to date with constant updates.