Saskatoon Blades coach Dan DaSilva named Canada Red head coach at U17 World Challenge

For the first time in his coaching career, Dan DaSilva will be behind the bench for Team Canada.

The Saskatoon Blades head coach was named to Hockey Canada’s coaching staff for the 2026 U17 World Challenge on Wednesday, set to lead Team Canada Red at the event in Oakville, Ont.

DaSilva, 41, is fresh off his second season as head coach of the Blades, where he oversaw Saskatoon’s run to the second round of the WHL playoffs after a Game 7 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings in the opening round.

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A finalist for the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy in 2025 for WHL coach of the year, DaSilva has compiled a 76-50-15 record in two seasons as Blades head coach.

DaSilva will be joined on the Canada Red bench by Lethbridge Hurricanes assistant coach Ryan Aasman, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) assistant coach Brendan Taylor, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) assistant coach Félix Bibeau and Ryan Lennon of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs.

It’s the second time in four years a Blades head coach has been selected by Hockey Canada for the U17 World Challenge, as DaSilva’s predecessor, Brennan Sonne, coached at the 2023 event in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.

Regina Pats goaltending coach and manager of hockey operations, Max Paddock, will also be part of the tournament, as he’s been named goaltending coach for Team Canada White.

The 2026 U17 World Challenge will be held Nov. 1-7.

McDonald, Harvey to coach at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

DaSilva wasn’t the only Saskatchewan WHL coach to be named to a Hockey Canada coaching staff, as Prince Albert Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald will go behind the bench at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alta., from Aug. 3-8.

It will be McDonald’s third straight year coaching at the international level, but will be his first at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as an assistant coach.

Prince Albert Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald (second from left) will represent Canada at his third straight international tournament at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alta. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

“Just a tremendous honour,” McDonald said. “Again, a privilege to be a part of a staff like that and we’re looking forward to the tournament.”

The Prince Albert product is coming off his first full season on the bench for the Raiders, where he led the team to the WHL championship series before they fell in five games to the Everett Silvertips.

McDonald, 38, won back-to-back gold medals with Canada at the U17 World Challenge, first as an assistant coach in 2024 before leading the 2025 roster to a gold medal as head coach.

“They’re all big in their own way,” McDonald said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for myself and our club, a tremendous honour whenever you have an opportunity to represent your country.”

McDonald will be joined on Canada’s coaching staff at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup by Blades goaltending coach, Jeff Harvey.

The pair won gold together with Canada at the U17s last year, which has connected the pair on opposite sides of one of the WHL’s most storied rivalries.

“He was our goalie coach last year for the U17 team,” McDonald said. “So, really excited to have another opportunity to work with Jeff as well.”

Rosters for both the U17 World Challenge and Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be released at a later date, according to Hockey Canada.

–with files from paNOW’s Nick Nielsen