Lauer, Bannister, Hulton join Canada’s coaching staff for 2027 World Juniors
Photo by Canadian Hockey League (CHL)
TORONTO — Canada has rounded out its coaching staff for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, adding three prominent Canadian Hockey League head coaches to the group that will lead the country into Edmonton and Red Deer.
Brad Lauer of the Spokane Chiefs, Drew Bannister of the Soo Greyhounds and Jim Hulton of the Saint John Sea Dogs have been named assistant coaches for Canada’s National Junior Team, joining head coach Misha Donskov and assistant Ryan Getzlaf.
The staff will also include Kamloops Blazers goaltending coach Dan De Palma and video coach Adam Filmon, with Hockey Canada’s director of performance analysis James Emery providing additional support.
The appointments give Canada representation from all three CHL leagues behind the bench. Lauer represents the Western Hockey League, Bannister the Ontario Hockey League and Hulton the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Donskov, who was named Canada’s head coach in April, returns to the World Juniors after serving as an associate coach when Canada captured bronze in 2026. He brings extensive NHL and international experience, including a Stanley Cup championship with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and gold medals with Canada at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2016 IIHF World Championship.
Lauer also returns from Canada’s 2026 bronze-medal staff. The Spokane head coach previously guided the Edmonton Oil Kings to the 2022 WHL championship and led the Chiefs to the 2025 WHL Championship Series.
Bannister returned to the Soo Greyhounds as head coach in June after previously leading the club from 2015 to 2018. He coached the St. Louis Blues during the 2024-25 season and most recently led Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.
Hulton joins the staff after taking over as head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs following 11 seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders. A two-time QMJHL Coach of the Year, Hulton has 380 career regular-season victories in the league and previously served as an assistant coach for Canada at three World Junior tournaments, helping the country win gold in 2005.
Getzlaf adds another championship pedigree to the staff. The longtime Anaheim Ducks captain won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and captured two Olympic gold medals with Canada, along with World Junior gold in 2005.
Canada will get its first extended look at its 2027 hopefuls when preparations begin at the World Junior Summer Showcase, scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 1 in Windsor, Ontario. Finland, Sweden and the United States will also participate.
The 2027 World Junior Championship runs Dec. 26, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027, in Edmonton and Red Deer, with Canada looking to return to the top of the podium on home ice.