EDMONTON, Alta. – OHA Edmonton General Manager Randall Weber announced today that Shawn Belle has been named the Head Coach of the OHA Edmonton Elite 15 team.
“We are very excited to have Shawn join our team,” said Weber. “Shawn not only brings with him a very current wealth of playing experiences at the highest levels but also brings the last four years of coaching experience at both the junior and collegiate levels. Our Elite 15 team will be able to draw from Shawn’s experiences and under his direction, energy, drive and work ethic, our student athletes will be in great hands.”
Belle joins OHA Edmonton after spending the previous three seasons as an Associate Coach with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) men’s ice hockey team, as well as an instructor with the Vimy Ridge Academy hockey program. Belle was also an Assistant Coach with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Sherwood Park Crusaders during the 2015-16 season.
“I’m extremely excited to be part of OHA Edmonton and to build upon the excellent culture that has been set,” said Belle. “I can’t wait to get started working with the student athletes, helping them develop on and off the ice.”
Prior to coaching, Belle played 10 years of professional hockey in the NHL, AHL, DEL and SHL. A first-round selection, 30th overall, by the St. Louis Blues at the 2003 NHL Draft, the Edmonton, Alta. product would go on to play for the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.
Belle played parts of five seasons in the Western Hockey League, mainly with the Tri-City Americans, where he served as an assistant captain for three seasons. He represented Canada on four occasions, winning a gold medal at the 2005 World Juniors and the 2003 World Under-18 Championship, along with a silver medal at the 2004 World Juniors.