By Hockey Canada

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, announced Wednesday that Dean Brockman, head coach and general manager of the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos, will be the head coach of Canada West for the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, scheduled for November 5-11 in Yarmouth, N.S.

Brockman will be joined by assistant coaches Jason McKee (head coach and general manager, Spruce Grove Saints, AJHL) and Ryan Smith (head coach, Selkirk Steelers, MJHL) for the tournament.

Dean Brockman, 45, will return to the Canada West coaching staff for a second consecutive year after winning a gold medal as an assistant coach last year. Brockman has been the head coach and general manager of the Broncos for eight seasons, participating in four RBC Cups, Canada’s National Junior A Championship, winning the title in 20. Brockman has been named the SJHL’s coach of the year three times.

Jason McKee, 33, will make his first appearance with Canada West at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge. He has been head coach and general manager of the Saints for the past two seasons, leading the team to a 94-14-9-3 record. McKee was the head coach of the West team at the CJHL Prospects Game last year. McKee spent three years playing in the ECHL after one season with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds and three seasons at Michigan Tech University.

Ryan Smith, 38, will also make his first appearance with Canada West. Smith has been the head coach of the Steelers for the past three seasons. Prior to joining Selkirk, Smith was the head coach with the Winnipeg South Blues for one season. Smith played 10 seasons of professional hockey, mainly in Germany, after playing CIS hockey at the University of Manitoba. Smith won the Allan Cup, Canada’s National Senior Championship, with the South East Prairie Thunder this past April.

Hockey Canada will announce details for Canada West’s camp prior to the World Junior A Challenge in the near future.

For more information on the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/wjac, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/wjrac or www.twitter.com/hc_wjac. For ticket information, visit: www.hockeycanada.ca/tickets.