Johnson to help coach U Sports all-stars

University of Regina Cougars men’s hockey coach Todd Johnson has been named an assistant coach for a team of U Sports allstars that is to oppose Canada’s world junior hockey championship prospects Dec. 12-14 in Victoria.

“It’s very exciting for me,” Johnson said in a news release. “To get a chance to work with the best players in U Sports is an honour and it’s also exciting to play against the world junior team. It’ll be the highlight of our December break.”

Johnson, Patrick Grandmaitre (Ottawa Gee- Gees) and Gardiner Macdougall (UNB Reds) will be the assistants to head coach Mark Howell (Calgary Dinos).

The Cougars (0-2) are idle until Oct. 12, when they begin a two-game home set against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

Six players from Regina have been named to Football Canada’s under-18 national team, which is to play the United States at the International Bowl in January.

The team will include four members of the Miller Marauders — Michael Clow, Dillon Keifer, Emmett Steadman and Ethan Vibert — along with Keegan Kaytor (Sheldon-williams Spartans) and Jaxon Runge (Campbell Tartans).

Ramsay Derbas (Saskatoon) and Colby Joyes (Clavet) were also named to the under-18 team.

The aforementioned players helped Team Saskatchewan win the gold medal and were named all-stars at the under-18 Football Canada Cup in July.