The tournament will be held April 14-24 in Grand Forks, N.D. It's the first time the elite under-18 international tournament will be held in the United States.
Named as assistant coaches were Jarrod Skalde, coach of Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League, and University of Alberta coach Serge Lajoie.
"We're excited about the caliber of coaching staff we have assembled to lead our under-18s into the world championship," said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada vice-president of hockey operations and national teams. "Their hockey experience and leadership will benefit our young players as they compete against some of the world's best on an international stage."
At the 2015 tournament Canada won the bronze medal, and its roster featured three players picked in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, including forward Mathew Barzal, who led Canada with 12 points and was taken with the 16th pick by the New York Islanders. Also on the team was defenseman Thomas Chabot, taken No. 18 by the Ottawa Senators, and forward Anthony Beauvillier, taken No. 28 by the Islanders).
Also on the team were two forwards ranked among top 2016 draft prospects. Cape Breton's Pierre-Luc Dubois is No. 7 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of the top North American skaters for the draft, and Vancouver forward Tyler Benson is No. 21.
Players picked for the 2016 tournament will come from Canadian Hockey League teams that either missed the playoffs or are no longer competing in the postseason.
