Former OHL Coach Drew Bannister to Lead Canada’s U18 Team at World Championship

Hockey Canada has announced its coaching staff for the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, with former Soo Greyhounds defenceman and head coach Drew Bannister is set to serve as head coach.

Bannister, a Belleville, Ont. native, brings a strong Ontario Hockey League résumé both behind the bench and as a player. He spent four seasons patrolling the blue line with the Greyhounds from 1990-94, capturing back-to-back OHL championships in 1991 and 1992 before helping the club claim the 1993 Memorial Cup.

Over 222 career OHL regular-season games, Bannister recorded 18 goals, 100 assists, and 118 points, adding 37 points in 52 playoff contests. His most productive season came in 1993-94 when he tallied 50 points in 58 games.

Bannister later returned to the OHL in a coaching role, spending three seasons as an assistant with the Owen Sound Attack before taking over as head coach of the Greyhounds from 2015-18. In his final season behind the bench, he guided Sault Ste. Marie to a historic 55-7-3-3 record, earning both the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year and the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award at the CHL level.

Bannister will be joined on staff by assistant coaches Matt Anholt and Mark O’Leary, who also has OHL experience as a player. A native of Owen Sound, Ont., O’Leary skated in 182 OHL games between the Mississauga IceDogs and Guelph Storm from 2003-06, recording 51 points while adding 114 penalty minutes in his final season with Guelph.

Now the head coach of the Moose Jaw Warriors, O’Leary captured a WHL championship in 2024 and brings both major junior and international experience to Canada’s bench.

Canada will open the tournament on April 22 in Slovakia, looking to capture a third straight gold medal at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.