CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in partnership with the National Hockey League and Hockey Canada, released Thursday the names of the two assistant coaches for the CJHL Prospects Game, which goes Tuesday, January 14 at 7 p.m. ET, at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena in Hamilton, Ont.
Selected to the Team West staff is Côte-du-Sud Everest (LHJAAAQ) head coach and general manager Simon Olivier while Brockville Braves (CCHL) bench boss Randy Jones will assist with Team East.
The CJHL also announced that J.J. Johnson of the Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) has been named the head athletic trainer and equipment manager for the event and will oversee the requirements of both clubs.
Now in his second season guiding Côte-du-Sud, Olivier sees his Everest club sport a 19-12-2 record in the LHJAAAQ standings.
He’ll be working alongside Team West head coach Brian Maloney of the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) as well as their guest coach and former NHL forward Adam Mair.
As for Jones, the former NHL defenceman, is in his initial campaign with Brockville in the CCHL where his team presently sits with a 27-8-3-0 mark.
Jones is an alumnus of the CJHL, where as a player, he spent three years with the Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) from 1998 through 2001.
Following a NCAA Division I career at Clarkson University (ECAC), he went on to skate in 365 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Winnipeg Jets.
He will team up with East head coach Corey Beer of the Timmins Rock (NOJHL) along with their guest coach, another former NHLer, in Krys Barch.
Along with being a member of the Voodoos organization in the NOJHL, Johnson recently served as the equipment manager for the silver-medal winning Team Canada East squad at last month’s World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C.
He will be assisted at the CJHL Prospects Game by staff members of the local Hamilton Kilty B’s Jr. program, with equipment manager Nike Simpson and trainer Emily Coleman working alongside Johnson for the contest.
“We congratulate Simon, Randy and J.J. on being named to their respective positions for the Prospects Game,” said CJHL president Brent Ladds. “All three will bring invaluable experience to the event, which will benefit each of the competing players greatly.”
“The CJHL would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to both Emily Coleman and Nike Simpson, as well as the entire Hamilton Kilty B’s organization, for their contributions and support of the 2020 Prospects Game, which is being held at their home venue, Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena in Hamilton,” stated Ladds.
Tickets for the CJHL Prospects Game, which will be available at the door, are $15 for adults while seniors and students are $10.
