GARBUTT TO DIRECT TEAM CANADA EAST
The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in partnership with Hockey Canada, announced Friday the directors of hockey operations for Canada East and Canada West at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, scheduled for Dec. 14-20 in Kindersley, Sask.
Brent Garbutt (pictured at 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup - photo credit: Amy Deroche/OJHL Images) has been named director of hockey operations for Canada East, while Andrew Boutilier will hold the same position for Canada West. It is the first time either director will be involved with the event.
Brent has been the Manager of Hockey Operations for the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) since October 2011. He is also employed by the NHL as a video coordinator in their famous NHL War Room. Prior to this, Brent worked as Manager of Hockey Operations for the ECHL. He also does amateur scouting for International Scouting Services in Toronto, Ontario. “It’s an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to be able to represent the five eastern leagues in the CJHL at a prestigious event like the World Junior A Challenge. I am looking forward to working with such a well-respected coach in Marty Abrams and his staff toward our goal of bringing home the Gold Medal”, said Garbutt.
Andrew has extensive experience with Hockey Canada dating back to his work with the Royal Bank Cup in 1999 – 2000. He has also coached since 1995 and was the assistant coach of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) from 2003 – 2006. Andrew has since served as the team’s president from 2008 to 2011. He was the co-chair of the Northern Classic, an outdoor Junior A game in Fort McMurray in 2010 and was a member of the Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic Gala steering committee in 2013. Andrew was honoured as one of Fort McMurray’ top 40 under 40 in 2011.
Seven of the eight gold medal games at the World Junior A Challenge have featured at least one Canadian team. Canada West won gold at the first two tournaments, in 2006 and 2007, before taking the top prize in 2011; it also earned silver in 2008, 2009 and 2012, and won bronze in 2013. Canada East was silver medallist in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011, and claimed bronze in 2008.
For more information on the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/wjrac and www.twitter.com/hc_wjac.
