Dwyer to coach at Spengler Cup

Burke, Francis are Canada’s co-general managers in quest for fourth straight title

Sean Burke and Ron Francis have been named as co-general managers for Canada’s team at next month’s Spengler Cup, while Kevin Dineen will lead the team’s coaching staff.

Hockey Canada said in a statement that Stratford resident Gordie Dwyer and Mike Kitchen will act as Dineen’s assistants for the tournament which will take place Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

Burke was general manager of Canada’s 2018 men’s Olympic hockey team, which claimed the bronze medal in Pyeongchang, South Korea. He also built the Canadian teams that won the last two Spengler Cup titles and has also been part of Canada’s management at the last four world championships.

Francis spent 12 seasons in management with the Carolina Hurricanes, serving as executive vice-president of hockey operations and general manager from 2014-18.

“Sean and Ron bring so much to the table, so bringing them on board was an obvious choice for us,” Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada, said in a release. “Not only do they have years of experience as players and executives, but both are decorated Team Canada alumni. They know what it means to play for Canada, and what it takes to do it successfully.”

Dineen led Canada’s women’s team to gold at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia and led Canada to bronze at the 2014 under-18 world championship.

Dwyer coached the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk until earlier this month when they made a coaching change. Dwyer previously was the bench boss of the P.E.I. Rocket/Charlottetown Islanders and the Summerside Western Capitals. Dwyer was an assistant with last year’s team at the Spengler as well.

Canada begins its quest for a fourth straight Spengler Cup title on Dec. 26 against host HC Davos. Canada has won the tournament 15 times since first taking part in 1984.