Vaughan – The Canadian Ball Hockey Association recently finalized their respective management teams for the Junior Team Canada program competing in Austria in 2010.

Five Ontarian’s were among those selected. The U-20 staff will have Mauro Cugini (Maple) return as General Manager and joining him will be Head Coach, Doug Shaw (Belleville). Steve Dockerty (Beeton) returns as the General Manager and is joined by Greg St. Amant (Penetanguishene) as an assistant coach on the U-18 team and Carlo Carlucci (Tottenham) was selected as the Head Coach for the U-16 team.

The balance of the management team and staff are, Gary Slavin (Maple Ridge, BC), Assistant GM for the U16 & U18, Liza Vendrasco-Aere (Vancouver, BC) Fundraising Coordinator and Parent Liaison, Jim Armstrong (Vernon, BC) Assistant Coach U-20, Ian Poulsen (Edmonton, AL) Head Coach U-18, and Ian Moores (Bay Roberts, NL) Assistant Coach U-16.

“Ball Hockey Canada is going to Austria to make all Canadians proud in 2010 and these selected individuals to lead us,” said Domenic Di Gironimo, CBHA President. "We are very fortunate to have this high a calibre of coaching available to our programs, and we are confident their leadership will guide Canada to gold in Austria in 2010."   Dockerty and Slavin worked together in 2008 with the U-18 and have a very good understanding and scouting background to get the U-16 and U-18 teams back to retain gold.

Di Gironimo thanked all members of minor council for their time and commitment to the Junior Team Canada program. “This group continues to crystalize the framework for future years, it is these formative years that sets the tone and standard of cooperation necessary to be successful each and every time we take our teams on the world stage.”

He continued, “these staffs are excellent, and have been intelligently designed with forethought on development of coaches, transition from WJC to WJC, and a systematic process for graduation of staff from age level to age level when we find a strong winning formula with any particular age group.”

There are a number of subsequent steps and meetings over the coming months to set in motion Team Canada’s operational plans, team logistics which will include player evaluations and scouting at the provincial level as well as the Western Challenge Cup and Nationals in July.

Mauro Cugini (Vaughan, ON), will be making his third appearance as a member of management team with Ball Hockey Canada.  Cugini who was Canada’s general manager at the past two ISBHF World Championships, leading the team to gold in 2008 and bronze in 2006.

Steve Dockerty (Beeton, ON), will be making his second appearance as a member of management team with Ball Hockey Canada. Dockerty who was Canada’s general manager at inaugural U-16 and U-18 events this past year which both captured gold.

Doug Shaw in 2008, coached the U-18 Junior Team Canada to a World Junior Championship, the U-17 Belleville Bulls to a National Championship and the Bantam Belleville Bulls to a Provincial Championship. 

Greg St. Amant coached the 2006 U-17 and 2008 U-19 Penetanguishene Blazers to gold medals and this will be his first tour with the National program.

Carlo Carlucci who was an assistant coach for the U-16 World Champions and assistant coach on the Beeton Xtreme Junior Provincial Championship team.