Hull named U18 assistant coach
Ex-Petes coach uniting with Hay to attempt a golden repeat in Russia
Jody Hull is heading back on the bench.
Hull was named an assistant coach for Canada’s Under-18 team for the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship taking place in Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, Russia from April 19 to 29.
He rejoins head coach Don Hay who Hull worked alongside in 2013 when Canada won the gold medal at the world U18 championships in Sochi, Russia.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Hull. “It’s good to keep your face out there. I’ve had success in the past working with Don Hay and Hockey Canada.”
Hull, who was let go by the
Peterborough Petes on Jan. 5 after five years as head coach, hopes to remain in coaching and has been putting his name out there in junior and pro circles.
“I’ve been to other OHL games and games in the American Hockey League and pro games,” he said. “I’ve been staying busy that way. This will be good for me to do the world tournament and then I’ll go to the NHL draft and we’ll see what happens.”
The team will gather in Toronto on April 7 for a short tryout camp and fly overseas on April 11. The coaches and management staff will hold a conference call together on Saturday to begin talking about a roster along with Hockey Canada’s head scout Brad McEwen. The team is made up of players eliminated from CHL playoffs or eliminated from the opening playoff round.
Hull was last with Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence as head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Summer U18 Team at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, winning gold.
His history with Hockey Canada also includes working as video coach for Canada’s U18 team that finished first at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. Hull began his coaching career in 2005 with the Petes where he was assistant coach from 2005-2008 winning the OHL championship in 2006, and again from 2010-2012.
He spent two seasons as assistant coach with the OJHL’s Peterborough Stars from 2008-2010.
He also won a gold medal for Canada at the 1988 IIHF World Junior Championship in Russia while playing with the Petes.