Kisio honoured to coach at World Junior Championship

By Lethbridge Herald on November 10, 2022.

Herald File photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio watches the play from the bench in November of last season. After eight seasons with the team, Kisio resigned on Thursday to take a professional job with the Henderson Silver Knights.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio got the nod for a second time in his coaching career to represent Team Canada as an assistant coach at the World Junior Championship.

Kisio will join other assistants Stéphane Julien of Sherbrooke in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Alan Letang of Sarnia in the Ontario Hockey League and Team Canada head coach Dennis Williams of the Everett Silvertips on the bench at the 2023 World junior Championship in Halifax and Moncton over the holiday season.

Kisio found out through a Zoom call last week.

“It’s a proud moment,” said Kisio.

“When you have a chance to represent your country, whether it’s a player or coach, it’s just an extremely proud moment and it’s an honour. You just want to go and make everyone proud. You grew up watching that tournament and as a kid around Christmas time, you get excited for it and it’s no different now as an adult,that you know  you’re excited to watch it. And to be a part of it, it’s always a dream come true.”

Kisio was an assistant coach at the 2019 tournament in Vancouver.

“It’s a different environment and it’s exciting times,” said Kisio.

“You see the jerseys on the streets, you see how excited everyone is — the atmosphere is incredible at these tournaments. The pressure’s on but it’s a fun pressure. You have a chance to do something very special and you never know if you’ll get another one. So, you’ve got to enjoy it, you’ve got to have fun and really live in the moment.”

Kisio said there’s work to be put in.

“There’s a process that Hockey Canada has set up; they’re the best at in the world,” he said.

“You just follow the process and handle your job with your home team here and get to work for Canada as well.”

Kisio thinks  Williams in an excellent coach.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with him at a couple of events and through the league, I know him pretty well,” said Kisio.

“He’s a high-energy guy. He’s done a great job in Everett and it’ll be a privilege to coach with him.”

Kisio’s international experience includes winning a  gold medal as a head coach at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, bringing home a silver medal at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge as a part of Team Pacific and served as head coach for Team Canada White at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The 2023 IIF World Junior Championship is from Dec. 26- Jan. 5, 2023, in Halifax and Moncton.