CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s national under-17 teams through the 2026 U17 World Challenge, set for Nov. 1-7 in Oakville, Ontario.
Dan DaSilva (Saskatoon, SK/Saskatoon Blades) and Dylan Smoskowitz (Richmond Hill, ON/Barrie Colts) will make their international coaching debuts, leading Canada Red and Canada White, respectively, as head coaches. In addition, Dave Drinkill (Elmvale, ON/Saginaw Spirit) and Dylan Seca (Sundridge, ON/Sarnia Sting), will return as directors of hockey operations, with Drinkill working with Canada Red and Seca joining Canada White.
Joining DaSilva on the Canada Red bench will be assistant coaches Ryan Aasman (Medicine Hat, AB/Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Brendan Taylor (Fomerly with the Soo Greyhounds), assistant coach and eye-in-the-sky Félix Bibeau (Chicoutimi, QC/Chicoutimi Saguenéens) and video coach Ryan Lennon (Burlington, ON/Kingston Frontenacs).
Rounding out the Canada White staff are assistant coaches Kyle Chipchura (Westlock, AB/Edmonton Oil Kings) and Mathieu Gravel (Longueuil, QC/Drummondville, Voltigeurs), assistant coach and eye-in-the-sky Dylan Beston (Calgary, AB/Newfoundland Regiment), goaltending coach Max Paddock (Brandon, MB/Regina Pats) and video coach Alex Darling (Chelsea, QC/Peterborough Petes).
The staffs were selected by Alan Millar (Tottenham, ON), general manager of the Program of Excellence, alongside assistant general manager Mike Johnston (Dartmouth, NS/Portland, WHL) and Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations.
“We are excited to announce the coaching and support staffs that will lead our teams through the 2026 U17 World Challenge, as we believe both staffs bring incredible Canadian Hockey League and international experience that will greatly benefit our players,” Millar said. “As we kick off the season at summer development camp next month and introduce the top under-17 players in Canada to the Program of Excellence, we know this staff will help us set the foundation and expectations for our players as we prepare to compete in November and prepare players for future Hockey Canada events.”
Smoskowitz recently completed his first season as head coach of the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after serving as an assistant for three seasons (2022-25), leading the Colts to the OHL championship series in 2026. Previously, he served as an assistant with the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and played five seasons in the OHL with Barrie, the Mississauga Steelheads and Oshawa Generals.
Taylor has spent the past four seasons (2022-26) as an assistant coach with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. Prior to joining the Greyhounds, he spent six seasons with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads as an assistant coach (2017-22) and video coach (2016-17). Taylor was also an assistant coach with the OJHL’s Oakville Blades. Internationally, he won a gold medal as an assistant with Canada Red at the 2025 U17 World Challenge.
OHL Hockey Operations Staff at Canada’s National U17 Development Camp (July 17-21)
Scouting Staff:
Scott Grieve (Ontario/Erie Otters)
Rob SImpson (Ontario/London Knights)
Team Red Staff:
Director of Hockey Ops. – Dave Drinkill (Saginaw Spirit)
Assistant Coach – Brendan Taylor
Video Coach – Ryan Lennon (Kingston Frontenacs)
Equipment Manager – Brandon Grace (Sudbury Wolves)
Team White Staff:
Director of Hockey Ops. – Dylan Seca (Sarnia Sting)
Head Coach – Dylan Smoskowitz (Barrie Colts)
Video Coach – Alex Darling (Peterborough Petes)
Equipment Manager – Justin Vanderlaan (Sarnia Sting)
Camp Staff:
Guest Coach – Brad Flynn (Kitchener Rangers)
Guest Coach – Brayden Guy (Sarnia Sting)
Guest Goaltending Coach – Nate McDonald (North Bay Battalion)
Guest Athletic Therapist – Luca Paron (London Knights)
Canada’s national under-17 development camp will take place July 17-21 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville and will include practices and six games. Players will continue to be evaluated during the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) season ahead of the 2026 U17 World Challenge.
For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
