U SPORTS announces FISU men’s hockey coaching staff
U SPORTS announced Tuesday, October 22 the staff that will help University of Calgary’s Mark Howell lead the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games from January 13-23 in Torino, Italy.
Queen’s University’s Brett Gibson will serve as Howell’s Associate Coach, while Forbes MacPherson (University of Prince Edward Island), David Urquhart (McGill University), and Johnny Duco (Toronto Metropolitan University) will act as Assistant Coaches, with Duco handling Video Coach duties. Richard Lim (Royal Military College) has named Team Lead, and Jamie Nicholl-Crane (Queen’s University) will serve as Equipment Manager.
“I am excited about the coaching staff we have confirmed for upcoming FISU Games in Italy. Each of the coaches bring experience and a vast amount of knowledge and expertise at the U SPORTS level, as well as internationally. It was important to add coaches who have been to this event before, as their understanding of the competition we play is essential, as well as the demands of our day-to-day schedule. Their experience will assist as we build out our roster for Italy, putting together the best “team” for the 2025 FISU Games. “
Gibson is in his 18th year behind the Queen’s bench, where he has won 265 games in his storied career with the Gaels. The Gananoque, ON product has prior FISU experience, having served as Head Coach of Team Canada in 2017 in Kazakhstan, earning a bronze medal, and as Assistant Coach in Canada’s gold medal-winning effort in Lake Placid in 2023.
MacPherson is in his 14th campaign as Head Coach of UPEI, with more than 180 career wins on his Panthers resume. The Charlottetown, PEI native, who played professionally for 12 years, served as Assistant Coach at the 2014 FISU Games in Italy, helping Canada to a gold medal performance.
Duco is in his ninth season as Head Coach of Toronto Metropolitan, where he has guided the Bold to a number of historic results. Coming off a season that culminated in an appearance in the U SPORTS semifinals, the product of Toronto, ON holds a sterling 124-44-17 career record, good for a .670 winning percentage. Torino will be Duco’s first FISU experience.
Urquhart was named Head Coach of McGill in 2021 after three seasons coaching in the American Hockey League. The native of Thorold, ON is coming off a 2023-2024 campaign where the Redbirds finished first in the OUA standings with a 21-5-2 record and won a conference bronze medal.
Lim serves as Head Coach for Royal Military College, where he has been behind the bench for nine seasons. A former Paladin, the product of Calgary, Alberta also was an Assistant Coach for Canada at the 2019 FISU Games in Russia, earning a bronze medal.
Nicholl-Carne has been a mainstay with Queen’s, serving as Equipment Manager for the Gaels since 2016. The product of Gananoque, ON will be participating in his first FISU Games.
“Adding coaches who have a winning pedigree helps as they grasp the value of preparation for a short-term event. Each of the coaches has high-character and brings a unique skill set to our team of coaches, allowing us to add value for the players and team, ensuring everyone has a positive and exceptional experience in Italy.”
Howell and the staff will be evaluating players across the country, with a roster announcement scheduled for later this fall. The Games run January 13-23, 2025 in Torino, Italy.