The Orangeville Crushers may have made an early and disappointing exit from the 2009- 2010 playoffs, but the season for coach Dale Hawerchuk is far from over.

He has been appointed the head coach for Team Canada at the 2010 Under 20 Three Nations Tournament.

This will mark the first year for the Under-20 Three Nations Tournament.

Running from April 14-18, the three-country give players from the OHA a chance to test their skills against players from both Sweden and Finland.

The tournament will take place in Norrtalje Sweden, about 70 kilometers from Stockholm.

“It is always an honour to be given a chance to work with Hockey Canada, the OHF and the OHA, this is going to be a fantastic experience,” said Mr. Hawerchuk.

The former National Hockey League player and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2001 is excited and yet focused on the task at hand.

“It’s going to be great to work with these young players and assist them in understand the international game,” said Mr. Hawerchuk.

Besides having played for four NHL teams, his hockey resume includes a wealth of international experience in the game of hockey will be a major upside to his position behind the bench in April. Mr. Hawerchuk played for Team Canada on the 1991 Canada Cup winning team and in the 1987 Canada Cup Tournament, where he was selected game MVP in the memorable overtime win against the Soviet Union.

Players selected from the OHA’s four junior leagues (Jr. A – D) will attend a Mini Camp at Team Ranch in Orangeville from April 9 - 11 in preparation for the tournament.

The OHA has committed to this event for the next three years, giving players from the association a great opportunity to play the game at an international level.