When Team Canada captured the Gold medal this past Sunday over Russia at the World Junior Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic, it felt a little more satisfying for one local resident.
Whitewood product and long-time hockey executive Brad McEwen is the Head Scout for Hockey Canada' s Program of Excellence and was a big part in putting together the Canadian roster.
McEwen wasn't in the Czech Republic but was watching from afar as the Canadians captured their 18th title in history.
"I was in Alberta doing some scouting and I was in Edmonton on the Sunday and I was watching it on phone from the rink, and it's just an exciting time for our team and our country & it was an unbelievable game and glad we came out on top," McEwen said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
McEwen in his 3rd year with Hockey Canada, after spending most of his coaching/management career in the WHL and a short time as a Scout for the Calgary Flames (NHL), and he says the organization is great to work for.
"They have a great template of how they put these teams together and just the professionalism they show the players and staff & the support they give everyone involved is outstanding."
Before embarking on his career in the WHL, McEwen began his coaching career in the SJHL with the Melville Millionaires in the late 1980's to early 1990s.
"I really enjoyed my time in Melville, they were the ones who gave me my shot at a full-time job in the hockey business and it was tremendous with guys like Howard and Ernie around & everyone left an impression on me and helped me to get to where I am today."
McEwen was the Head Coach/GM of the Moneymen during a SJHL Final that lots of people will never forget and for him his not being able to capture the teams first title is something he still thinks about today.
"Oh ya I still think of it, and wake up some days and think about the opportunity we had, but it shows that you don't get many chances so when you get the opportunity like we did this past Sunday, you have to take advantage of them."
Today, along with gig with Hockey Canada is also the Director of Operations of the Ochapowace Nations Sports Academy on the Ochapowace First Nation.
Full chat with Brad McEwen below:
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