Thursday, March 5, 2009

Grimes to coach the Ontario U-17's

Press Release

Toronto - The Ontario Under-17 Program Policy Committee is pleased to announce Jake Grimes as the new Head Coach of Team Ontario through 2011. Jake is currently an Assistant coach with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League and has served as an assistant coach with Team Ontario the last two years.

"The committee is pleased that Jake has agreed to become the head coach of Team Ontario for next two years, stated acting Under-17 Policy Committee Chairman Ted Baker.” Jake has demonstrated the knowledge and leadership qualities that are necessary to coach our high performance athletes and we look forward to having him at the helm of Team Ontario during the next two years.”

"It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I accept the head coaching position of Team Ontario for the next two years, stated Grimes. My experience as an assistant coach with Team Ontario under the guidance of Jason Brooks and Mario Cicchillo over the last two seasons has provided me with the experience and tools to guide our under-17 high performance athletes at the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge event being held in Timmins Ontario from December 29th, 2009 to January 4th, 2010.”

The Under-17 Policy Committee is also pleased to announce that they have selected Troy Smith and Drake Berehowsky as Team Ontario assistant coaches for the next two years. Mr. Smith is an assistant coach with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League while Mr. Berehowsky is an assistant coach with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

The coaching staff together with Director of Operations Rob Kitamura will be attending the regional under-17 identification camps throughout the Province during the months of April and May 2009. The identification process will conclude with the under-17 Provincial camp that is being held at Ottawa University from June 25th to June 28th 2009 and hosted by the Ottawa District Hockey Association.

The Ontario Under -17 Program is a component of Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence and is co-ordinated through the Hockey Development Centre for Ontario on behalf of their 3 Ontario Branches. The program receives financial support from the Ministry of Health Promotion. In total, more than 1,500 players will participate at regional under-17 identification camps throughout Ontario this spring.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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