Blazers’ De Palma to coach at third consecutive U-18 World Championships

KAMLOOPS — Dan De Palma will be coaching Team Canada’s goaltenders at the under-18 men’s world championships for the third year in a row.

The Kamloops Blazers Director of Goaltender Development was included as part of the coaching staff for the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship in Trenčín and Bratislava in Slovakia. Canada aims to win its third goal medal in a row at this year’s tournament, which runs April 22 to May 2.

DePalma won gold at the 2025 tournament in Texas, while he and defenceman Harrison Brunicke won gold at the 2024 tournament in Finland.

Carter Esler of the Spokane Chiefs, Leif Oaten of the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Kingston Frontenacs’ Gavis Betts were the three goaltenders named to Canada’s 23-man pre-tournament roster Monday (April 13). No Kamloops Blazer was included the list of nine WHLers that made the cut.