It is an honour and a privilege.
Dean Brockman, head coach of the Humboldt Broncos Junior A hockey team, will be the head coach of the Canada West team in the 2012 World Junior A Challenge November 5-11 in Yarmouth, N.S.
"There are six teams - a team from the east, a team from the west and four international teams," explained Brockman.
The tournament is a chance for players from Junior A teams across the country to play at an international level, he added.
Last year, Brockman was the assistant coach for the gold medal winning team. He is looking forward to the opportunity to be head coach this year.
"It's really an honour," said Brockman. "Any time you represent your country I think certainly you feel honoured to be able to do it."
Although it is an honour, he explained, "it puts the pressure on you to be competitive and to work hard and obviously represent the west the best you can."
He is looking forward to the competition and some of the challenges they will be facing.
"We are out in Nova Scotia - certainly you need to prepare a little bit for that," said Brockman. "And, as always, there is work involved in something like that."
Brockman will be preparing over the summer.
"The preparation for the tournament as the summer goes by should be a lot of fun I think," said Brockman. "I'm looking forward to the challenge and it should be a good time."
Jason McKee, head coach of Spruce Grove Saints, and Ryan Smith, head coach of the Selkirk Steelers, will be joining Brockman as assistant coaches.
