SUMMERSIDE – Jim Hulton agrees that preparing Team Canada for the 2019 world junior hockey championship is a process.
Hulton, the head coach and general manager of the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, is an assistant coach with Team Canada for the Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 tournament in Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.
“We are really happy with the progress to date,” said Hulton. “Hockey Canada does a wonderful job laying a path really starting in the summer all the way up to the event.
“We have broken it up to three phases. The first phase being the selection process, which was the U Sport (exhibition) games in Victoria, the second one is going to be the competition phase.
“We moved locations from a hotel to more of a resort, with the emphasis more on team building, rest and recovery in this phase, and then we obviously play some exhibition games.”
Hulton said the coaching staff has liked what they have seen.
“Most importantly, the group has really grown together,” said Hulton, who added Team Canada moved from Victoria to Vancouver on Saturday for the competition phase. “It’s a unique experience trying to jam an entire season into about one month.
“The team-building aspect is really important, but this week has given the guys a lot of time together and you can see the bond forming and increasing every day.”
Team Canada defenceman Noah Dobson of Summerside agrees.
“It’s great for the team to get to know everyone and jell together, so come Boxing Day we are a real close group that will help us have success,” continued Dobson.
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Responsibilities
Hulton’s responsibilities include working with the forwards and penalty killing.
“We will keep an eye on offensive zone faceoffs, a lot of the offensive tactical side of the game and the penalty kill,” said Hulton.
Hulton agrees the goal is to have Team Canada peaking at the right time.
“There’s an art and a science to coaching, and you have to incorporate both,” said Hulton. “We use a lot of sport science stuff here.
“Again, Hockey Canada arms us with a lot of tools because they are the best in the world in short-term events. There is a lot of experience in a lot of different areas that they provide you with.”
Overall, Hulton said “it’s been a great experience” with Team Canada so far.
“Everything is first class from accommodations, to travel,” offered Hulton. “As a coach, any time you get to work with the cream of the crop players it’s always a treat.
“You are always continually learning, and to spend time with other high-end coaches is like a seminar in itself. All in all, it’s been a terrific experience, and the real event hasn’t even started yet.”
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