Oil Kings' coach joins U18 staff at camp

Hockey Canada has noticed what's been going on here in Edmonton.

On Thursday, the organization named Edmonton Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer to the staff of the national men's under-18 team for its summer development camp coming up July 25-Aug. 4.

As the reigning Western Hockey League Coach of the Year the last time the Dunc Mccallum Memorial Trophy was handed out in the 2019-20 season, Lauer went on to coach the Oil Kings to the league's best record (20-2-0-1) in an abbreviated, division-only schedule that didn't include playoffs.

It is the first Hockey Canada appointment for the 54-year-old native of Humboldt, Sask., who joined the Oil Kings in 2018 following a lengthy run as an NHL assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning.

His three seasons behind Edmonton's bench have resulted in three straight Central Division titles and the Eastern Conference championship in 2019-20, while accumulating an impressive 10432-10-9 record.

The summer development camp will be held at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut'ina Nation near Calgary, where 17 WHL players made the list of 45 across the country to receive an invitation. The camp will also feature combined practices and intrasquad games with Canada's national junior team on Aug. 2-3.

The camp is primarily used to help select Team Canada's roster at the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup, however, Canada will not be participating at this year's tournament due to the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic.

The Oil Kings open their 2021-22 WHL season against the visiting Red Deer Rebels on Oct. 1.