Kris Mallette’s summer ends early with Hockey Canada assignment

Mallette struck gold at the U18s last August in the Czech Republic as an assistant in a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Czechia. Almost a full calendar year later, the 45-year-old finds himself guiding the program, but this time on home soil.

While Mallette’s summer is cut short by accepting Hockey Canada’s call, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He can rub shoulders with the best coaches in the game, while working with the best players in the nation. The added bonus is he can use the tournament to showcase his talents as one of the smartest, tactical minds in the game.

“It is best opportunities to hand pick the best available players during the summer time,” he said. “During the season, world juniors, things come up with NHL teams having younger players that they don’t release, but this is a chance to pick the best for that age group. Expectations are very high and over the last few years we’ve had some really strong teams, and this year that 2007-age group is very strong with some high-octane players.”

Among the 13 Western Hockey League players attempting to make the team will be Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna, who is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

“I have a tournament in front of me that I am very excited about,” Mallette added. “My focus is there, but I never forget about the Kelowna Rockets. We are still looking for an assistant coach here, so that is a duty that I wouldn’t normally be doing in the summer time, but it is a joint effort by all.”

General Manager Bruce Hamilton and Assistant GM Curtis Hamilton are looking through resumes to find a replacement for Josh MacNevin, who departed in early July to join the coaching staff of the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

“Experience would be great,” Mallette said when asked what type of candidate he would be looking for in a new assistant coach to join him behind the bench for the 2024-2025 WHL season. “Whether that is in the Western Hockey League or Junior A, potentially a head coach or someone who has some tenure as a head or assistant coach.

“You need someone with an understanding what comes along with the job. The coaching is the fun part. As an assistant coach, there are a lot of administrative things behind the scenes that people don’t see. Booking trips. The food, the schedule, and obviously the billeting and then on top of that you are in an environment of making the team better.”

The quality of the candidates inquiring about the job vary. Some stick out with their preparation, while others are tactically sound.

“Do their coaching philosophies align with the Rockets is a huge thing,” he said. “It has been an interesting process. Hopefully we are coming down to the tail end of it, but nonetheless, myself, Bruce and Curtis are diligently trying to find that right piece.”

Once the aircraft wheels leave the tarmac at Kelowna International Airport Thursday morning though, Mallette’s sole focus over the next 18 days is to help Canada earn its 25th gold medal since 1991.

Canada opens the tournament August 5th against Switzerland.

“There is a lot of pressure for sure,” he admitted. “I can’t wait to get started.”

by Regan Bartel

Kris Mallette’s summer ends early with Hockey Canada assignment

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