December 15, 2016
The World Juniors held during the Christmas break since 1982 have not only been a stepping stone for players to the NHL, but for coaches as well including three who were head coaches at the CCAA Hockey National Championships 30 seasons ago.
Perry Pearn, who was behind the bench for a CCAA record eight nationals appearances with the NAIT Ooks, was an assistant coach at the 1990 & 1991 World Junior Championships and a head coach at the 1993 World Junior Championships. The Stettler, Alberta native is currently an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks following stints with the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, and the Montreal Canadiens.
Mike Johnston, who coached the host Camrose Lutheran College Vikings, was an assistant coach at the 1994 & 1995 World Junior Championships. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native was an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings prior to becoming head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Johnston is currently the head coach and general manager of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks.
Terry Bangen, who guided the Cariboo College Chiefs to a CCAA record five consecutive appearances at nationals, was an assistant coach at the 1996 World Junior Championships before joining the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach. The Grande Prairie, Alberta native is now an assistant coach with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.
(Bangen would also take the place of former NAIT rearguard Rick Carriere, who had just accepted the position of head coach with the Medicine Hat Tigers and was an assistant coach with the Ooks during the 1986-87 campaign, at the 1998 World Junior Championships. Carriere is now the Senior Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers.)