Dean Evason has been appointed as the head coach for Canada's team at the upcoming World Hockey Championship, scheduled for May 9-25 in Sweden and Denmark. He will be joined by a strong staff, including Ryan Huska of the Calgary Flames, Andrew Brunette from Nashville, and Steve McCarthy of the Blue Jackets. Evason, who just completed his first season with Columbus, aims to improve on Canada's previous fourth-place finish.

The tournament will kick off with Canada facing Slovenia on May 10. With Huska's previous experience as an assistant in junior championships and Evason's solid coaching background, expectations are high for the team to contend for the title. The staff's combined NHL experience is noted as a significant asset as Canada aims to wear the Maple Leaf with pride.

Canada's national hockey team will be led by head coach Dean Evason at the upcoming World Championship, appointed by Hockey Canada. He’ll be joined by Calgary Flames’ Ryan Huska, Nashville Predators’ Andrew Brunette, and Blue Jackets’ Steve McCarthy as assistants. The tournament is set for May 9-25 in Sweden and Denmark, with Canada opening against Slovenia on May 10.

Evason, recently completing his first season as the Blue Jackets' head coach, led the team to a six-game winning streak, narrowly missing the playoffs. Huska's Flames finished strong, with a record of 41-27-14, but also fell short of postseason play. Brunette and McCarthy will be making their international coaching debuts.

The Calgary Flames enter the NHL break after a disappointing defeat against the Seattle Kraken, where they squandered a two-goal lead, culminating in a 3-2 loss. Coach Ryan Huska recognized the need for the upcoming pause as the team struggles, now three points behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Despite a strong start and a solid home record earlier in the season, the Flames have faltered late in games, with defenceman MacKenzie Weegar expressing frustration over the missed opportunity. The team had been dominant when leading after two periods, but this loss highlighted a growing complacency, according to Weegar. Jonathan Huberdeau, who played a pivotal role in establishing a 2-0 lead, took responsibility for a critical turnover that led to the Kraken's comeback.

Jakob Pelletier elevated his game significantly after being promoted to Calgary's top line, helping lead the Flames to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Contributing to the scoring, he assisted Nazem Kadri's equalizer and netted the winning goal, showcasing his offensive capabilities.

Calgary's coach Ryan Huska praised Pelletier's energy and determination on the ice, emphasizing his impactful play throughout the match. This performance marked a continuation of Pelletier's positive trajectory since returning from the AHL, where he honed his skills and gained confidence. His contributions included not just scoring but also strong defensive plays, exemplified by a vital blocked shot.

Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau is enjoying a resurgence this season, leading the team with 17 goals at the halfway point. This marks an improvement compared to his production over the last two seasons following his trade from the Florida Panthers. Huberdeau has found a new sense of responsibility, contributing defensively while maintaining his offensive output.

The Flames are in playoff contention, sitting just below the cutline in a tightly contested Western Conference. Huberdeau credits his increased ice time and involvement in defensive plays as key factors in his performance. He acknowledges the Flames' struggles with penalties and scoring but believes in the team's resilience.