North Bay coach to guide Canada’s U-18 hockey team

Ryan Oulahen named head coach of Canada's U-18 entry at Hlinka Gretzky Cup is shown here in an undated photo. (Supplied-North Bay Battalion)

With two gold medals to his credit as an assistant coach, North Bay Battalion head coach Ryan Oulahen will try to make it three at this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament in Edmonton.

He’s been named the head coach of Team Canada at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament this August.

Oulahen served as an assistant coach with the Canadian entry winning gold medals in 2024 and 2018.

“I am extremely honoured to lead Team Canada at this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. It is very special to be able to represent Canada and to work with our countries best available players for this age group,” Oulahen said in a Battalion team statement issued Wednesday.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan and assistants Ryan McDonald, Brad MacKenzie and Kyle Chipchura to the staff for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup,” said Alan Millar, general manager of the Program of Excellence in a release July 8.

“Each brings a pedigree of coaching experience, particularly in short-term international competition, which will be a tremendous asset as we prepare for the tournament.”

Oulahen has been the head coach of the Battalion for the past seven OHL seasons and is also the team’s assistant general manager.