WHL COACHES, ALUMNI TO SPEAK AT CONFERENCE

Press Release

VANCOUVER, June 7, 2012 – The Coaches Site is pleased to recognize the contributions that the Western Hockey League has made to the coaching community and welcomes a contingent of prestigious current and former WHL coaches and players to the 2012 Hockey Coaches Conference.

Among the list of speakers at the second annual conference is CHL coaching legend Don Hay, who the Canadian Hockey League named the best WHL coach of all time. In 1995, Hay led Team Canada to a perfect 7-0 record and a Gold Medal at the World Junior Championships. He also played in the WHL with the Calgary Centennials and the New Westminster Bruins.

Former head coach of the 2003-07 Washington Capitals and a current Vancouver Giants assistant coach, Glen Hanlon will also speak. A native of Brandon, MB, Hanlon played three seasons in the WHL with his hometown Wheat Kings.

Also speaking at the conference is Ken Hitchcock, two-time WHL Coach of the Year. Currently the coach of the St Louis Blues, Hitchcock is a finalist for the 2012 Jack Adams award. Hitchcock led the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup in 1999.

Brent Peterson, a former WHL player and head coach, will also be speaking at this year’s conference. Peterson has been a member of the Nashville Predators organization since 1998.

Former WHL player Darryl Sydor will also be addressing the audience. Sydor began his junior career with the Kamloops Blazers, winning the President’s Cup twice; including one Memorial Cup championship, before going on to eventually win two Stanley Cups. Sydor is a member of the Minnesota Wild coaching staff and just completed his first season coaching in the NHL.

“The WHL has fostered not only some of the greatest players in hockey but some of the greatest coaches that the sport has seen as well,” said Aaron Wilbur, managing director of The Coaches Site. “We are honored to host some of the WHL’s most admired and respected coaches, while providing them the opportunity to give back to grassroots hockey.”

The two-day event will cover a variety of topics including; tactical strategies, individual skill development and off-ice conditioning. The conference will take place July 20-21, 2012 at the Delta Hotel & Conference Centre in Burnaby, BC.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)