CAMBRIDGE, ON (January 26, 2022) – The Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Northwestern Ontario are proud to announce the coaching staff that will lead Team Ontario at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. The bench will be compromised of an all-Greater Toronto Hockey League staff with Steve Devine selected as Head Coach and joined by Associate Coaches David Cicchini and Cyril Bollers.
Head Coach Steve Devine, a distinguished coach, is currently with the Toronto Marlboros and has participated on the GTHL coaching staff for four years at the OHL Gold Cup. He has been recognized for his drive and dedication to success throughout the hockey world and is certified at both the High Performance 1 and High Performance 2 Coaching Level.
“It’s a very humbling and tremendous opportunity to lead Team Ontario into the 2023 Canada Winter Games in PEI,” said Devine. “As the Head Coach I’m very excited to work with our staff & the best under 16-year-old male hockey players in Ontario. Our challenge will be to identify the best players from across this province and build confidence & earn their trust in our processes to achieve our goals.”
Associate coaches David Cicchini and Cyril Bollers also bring a wealth of experience to the tournament. Cicchini is currently the Associate Coach of the Don Mills Flyers and has previously worked with the GTHL Red as an Associate Coach.
“Team Ontario has a strong track record at the Canada Winter Games, and I look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence,” said Cicchini. “As we compete for a gold medal, I am excited about the opportunity to work with a high performance group, including management, staff, and players, and to create lasting memories for those associated with our program.”
Cyril Bollers has 22 years of experience in hockey and currently leads Jamaica’s National Team and is President of Skillz Black Aces, a Toronto/based program that aims to engage underprivileged BIPOC youth to hockey.
“Having the opportunity to return to the Canada Winter Games to help recapture the GOLD medal is priceless. But more fulfilling is watching the development of our players from the start of our evaluation camp to the competition of the 2023 Canada Winter Games.”
Jeff Robert from Hockey Eastern Ontario has also been selected to represent Ontario as Director of Operations for the games.
“It is a great honour to be selected to represent Team Ontario at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Team Ontario has a great tradition of excellence and something that we will look to build on. We have an excellent coaching staff set in place, and I am looking forward to the challenge over the next 14 months,” said Robert.
“Our goal is to create a positive and memorable experience for the players that will be chosen to represent Team Ontario, and make the games the best hockey experience they have had in their careers to date”
ABOUT THE CANADA WINTER GAMES
The Canada Winter Games, officially known as the XXVII Canada Games, is a Canadian multisport event that will be held in Prince Edward Island from February 18 to March 5. The event is expected to bring 3,600 participants to celebrate the very best in Canadian Sport. PEI previously hosted the Canada Winter Games in 1991.
