Newly minted Soo Greyhounds bench boss Drew Bannister is among those named as assistant coaches with Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta. He is joined by Brad Lauer (Spokane Chiefs / WHL) and Jim Hulton (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL), the Canadian Hockey League announced Monday. The coaching staff will also include goaltending coach Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL) and video coach Adam Filmon, with additional support from James Emery, Hockey Canada’s director of performance analysis. Canada’s National Junior Team will begin preparations for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship at the World Junior Summer Showcase, which will be held July 26-Aug. 1 in Windsor, Ont. The 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta