Voodoos trainer named to Team Canada East staff

Hockey Canada has announced the coaching and training staff for the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge this December in Dawson Creek, British Colombia and a member of the Powassan Voodoos has been selected to serve on the training staff of Team Canada East. 

Powassan Voodoos Head Trainer And Equipment Manager JJ Johnson has been named as an Equipment Manager on the Canada East team for the WJAC, which runs December 7-15 at the Encana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, B.C. 

Johnson joins fellow NOJHL coach Corey Beer (Head Coach, Timmins Rock) on the Team Canada staff. They will be joined by Head Coach Martin Dagenais (Head Coach, Ottawa Jr. Senators), Assistant Coach Greg Leland (Head Coach, Camplleton Tigers), Assistant Coach Dan Sauvé (Head Coach, Rockland Nationals) and Director of Operations Mark Grady. Rounding out the training staff are Athletic Therapists Mark Franciscio (Valley Wildcats) and Natalie Figueria (Oakville Blades). 

Johnson, who will be making his WJAC debut, is coming off his first season in the OHL where he served as an Assistant Equipment Manager for the North Bay Battalion. He has opted to return to Powassan for 2019-2020 where he and the Voodoos will look to win their second NOJHL title. 

During his time with Powassan Johnson has been named NOJHL Trainer of the Year twice (2017, 2018), NOHA Dr. Tom Pashby Trainer of the Year (2017), as well as winning the NOJHL title with the Voodoos in 2017. He also served as Head Trainer for Team NOJHL in 2017 and 2018 at the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge. 

“I am so honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to represent the Powassan Voodoos, the NOJHL, and most importantly my country at the highest level of Junior A competition,” remarked Johnson, who served at as assistant equipment manager with the OHL's North Bay Battalion last season.  

“I can not thank Rob Mazzuca, Jim Bruce, or Chris Dawson enough for all they have done for me in getting me to this point in my career,” he added. 

The event itself will feature Canada East made up of players from the five eastern-based Jr. 'A' league's in the Canadian Junior Hockey League taking on the Canada West side featuring a squad consisting of top members from the five western Jr. A loops in the CJHL as well as three international squads from Russia, the Czech Republic, and the United States. 

Canada East won a silver medal in the 2016 WJAC, which was their fifth in the history of the 13-year event.

Rosters for the Canada East Identification and Selection Camp will be announced at a later date.

The NOJHL’s regular season begins September 3rd, with the Voodoos opening up their season on September 5th when they visit the Rayside Balfour Canadians. One night later they will host the same Canadians in their home opener at the Powassan Sportsplex. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.