Weyburn Red Wings head coach Dwight McMillan returned this past week after winning a gold medal as the assistant coach for Team Canada West at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge (WJAHC) in Trail and Nelson, B.C.

"It was a great experience and a grueling 12 days of practicing, working with the players and attending manager meetings," said McMillan.

McMillan's team opened with a 2-1 exhibition game victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters on Nov. 1 and a 6-1 loss to Russia on Nov. 2 in exhibition play.

During the round robin of the tournament, Team Canada West defeated Germany 7-2 on Nov. 6, but lost 4-2 to Russia. The Russian squad is a team that has impressed McMillan at both WJAHCs that he has coached in.

"They are a great team with a lot of skill. They played together all the time and they are so impressive. Their skill level is very good, but they can't take the grit of hitting in western hockey," McMillan said.

On Nov. 8, they picked up their second win, defeating Belarus 7-3, to clinch a berth in the semifinals.

Team Canada West got by the United States 5-1 and, for the second year in a row, faced Team Canada East for the gold medal. After the first period, the boys from the west were ahead 2-1 and never looked back. They added one goal in the second period and another goal in the third to end the game 4-1.

The only other SJHL representative on the Team Canada West was Tommy Brown from the Melfort Mustangs. Although there were few representatives from Saskatchewan, McMillan felt they put together the best possible hockey team.

"It is a bit disappointing (to have few SJHL reps), but at the same time we have to look at all of the western provinces and the lakefront. You have to go by the numbers," McMillan said.

Another factor that went into the decision making was the fact that Team East and West were only allowed five 19-year-old players, while the European teams were allowed any number of 19-year-olds.

"We were put at a disadvantage and still won it," he said.

This is McMillan's second gold medal from the World Junior A Hockey Challenge. At the inaugural tournament last year in Yorkton, McMillan was the assistant coach for Team West when they defeated Team East 4-3 in the final.