Longtime London Knights coach and Petrolia native Dale Hunter has been named head coach of Canada’s 2026 World Junior Hockey Team.
Hockey Canada announced the appointment on Thursday.
“Dale’s résumé speaks for itself: three Memorial Cups, three OHL Coach of the Year awards and two international gold medals. His passion for this program runs deep, and we feel he is the best candidate to lead us to a gold medal in Minnesota,” said Program of Excellence General Manager Alan Millar in a media release.
Hunter joined the London OHL organization in 2001. He briefly stepped away from the role in 2011-2012 when he served as head coach of the Washington Capitals.
Petrolia's Mark Hunter will also serve as a member of the national team's management group. He will have a say in all hockey operations-related matters, including the player evaluation and selection process.
Mark has held various roles within the London Knights franchise over the last 25 years. He also spent four seasons as head coach of the Sarnia Sting in the mid 90s to 2000, and spent time with NHL teams in Toronto, Montreal, St. Louis, Calgary, Hartford, and Washington.
Canada’s junior team is scheduled to begin preparations for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at the World Junior Summer Showcase from July 27 to August 2 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Canadian team will join Finland, Sweden, and the United States.
On Wednesday, four OHL players were named to the U.S. roster for the upcoming showcase, including Sarnia Sting goalie Patrick Quinlan, London Knights defenceman Henry Brzustewicz, Windsor Spitfires forward AJ Spellacy, and Saginaw Spirit forward Kristian Epperson.