Under the guidance of president and general manager , the WHL乌鸦传媒檚 Kelowna Rockets have compiled one of the most impressive records in major junior hockey over the last 15 years.

So it should come as little surprise that Hockey Canada has once again tapped into Hamilton乌鸦传媒檚 knowledge base by naming him to the Program of Excellence management group for the 2017-18 season.

For the first time since his involvement with Hockey Canada, Hamilton will support and manage the U18 program, including Canada乌鸦传媒檚 entry in the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檒l be a unique experience working with the top group of kids at this age,乌鸦传媒� Hamilton said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檒l give us a good idea what our future is going to look like. More importantly, it乌鸦传媒檚 the only time we have a true under 18 team put together, so it乌鸦传媒檚 a key part of the process.乌鸦传媒�

As always, the U18 program is a stepping stone to the ultimate junior experience in Canada乌鸦传媒攑laying for Hockey Canada乌鸦传媒檚 entry at the annual IIHF U20 world championship.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a chance to let these players know how serious this is and that this is their opportunity to leave a real footprint with Hockey Canada going forward, and one day maybe playing at the world juniors,乌鸦传媒� Hamilton added.

Hamilton has been a part of Hockey Canada乌鸦传媒檚 Program of Excellence since 2013. He was a member of the management group for Canada乌鸦传媒檚 national U20 team in 2014 at the IIHF world juniors in Malm枚, Sweden, and again in 2015 when the Canadians won the gold medal at the WJC in Toronto.

Joining Hamilton on the three-man management team are Steve Staios of the OHL乌鸦传媒檚 Hamilton Bulldogs, who will oversee the U17 program, and Jo毛l Bouchard of the QMJHL乌鸦传媒檚 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, who returns to the national U20 junior team.

乌鸦传媒淭heir skill, knowledge and dedication to excellence will lead us through the year as we look to continue Canada乌鸦传媒檚 tradition of excellence on the ice, and further develop skilled, committed players through our program,乌鸦传媒� said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams with Hockey Canada.

The owner, president and GM of the Rockets, Hamilton乌鸦传媒檚 club won the WHL title four times in a 12-year span乌鸦传媒�2003, 2005, 2009 and 2015乌鸦传媒攁nd the Memorial Cup title in Kelowna in 2004.

Hamilton is currently serving his second stint as chairman of the Western Hockey League乌鸦传媒檚 board of directors since 2008. He also held the position from 1998 to 2004.