With 120 day’s left to the start of the IIHF World championships U18 in Turkey, a large group of potential players and goalies gathered past weekend in Mechelen to try-out for the U18 national team.
Mid-September the team staff was selected and ever since a lot of work was already done by the new coaching staff. Beside Patrick Mondelaers (Equipment Manager) and Timo Louage (Physio) 3 new members where officially introduced this weekend to team, GUYLAIN TURGEON will be this season’s coach, assisted by Ben Boute. Steve Sels will take the roll as team manager and will assist the coaching staff and players on the road to Istanbul.
Coach Turgeon (CAN) who was previously active in Tilburg, already attended several club practices to scout players during their team ice sessions and optimize the relationships with the club coaching staff. He understands that this year’s expectations are high but was also very pleased with the player performance this weekend.
Later this week the coaching staff will appoint the players for the final selection weekend camp early January. All players will receive an official notification by the end of the week.
The selection weekend in January will be supported by an international mentor coach and surrounded by a couple exhibition games and an additional practice to kick-off the 60-day countdown for the championship early March 2024.
The final team will be inaugurated and announced to the public mid-January.