Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, June 15, 2016 – A short track speed skating coach who has been at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Games, Jonathon Cavar is back in the country, this time as assistant to the men’s Canadian National Team Head Coach, Derrick Campbell.

Jonathon Cavar will be based at the Short Track National Team Training Centre at Maurice-Richard Arena in Montreal and he will start working full time in July.

Cavar, age 39, had spent the last two years in the United States working as head coach of the short track team. He had previously spent seven seasons with the Canadian National Teams coaching staff. Based in Calgary at the time, he had notably coached Jessica Gregg, an Olympic Team member at the 2010 and 2014 Games, in addition to contributing to the two silver medals the Canadian women won at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.

“I’m really excited to be in Montreal with the Canadian Team,” said Jonathon Cavar. “It’s great to be back home and in the building where I spent so many years as a skater. There is an excellent connection here with the staff and the athletes and I am honoured to be part of the team.”

“We are confident that Jonathon’s expertise, knowledge and experience will be an asset in accompanying our athletes towards the best levels of performance as we head towards the 2018 Olympic Games,” said Brian Rahill, Director of High Performance at Speed Skating Canada. “Working with Derrick Campbell, we consider that our short track male skaters are in good hands not only moving towards 2018, but also for the years that will follow.”

Cavar’s nomination comes as slight changes have been made to the Canadian National Team staff following the departure of equipment manager François Drolet for family reasons. Laurent Daignault, who until now was assistant to the Head Coach, was promoted to the role of Short Track National Centre technician and consultant in the improvement of technologies.

Previously member of Speed Skating Canada’s development and national teams as a skater over a period of five years, Jonathon Cavar was crowned Canadian short track champion in 1998. He was the first Canadian to win a medal (a silver in the 500m) at the first Short Track World Junior Championships in 1994.

More details are available at Speed Skating Canada’s website at www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada
Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.

– 30 –

For information:
Patrick Godbout
Communications & Media Relations Manager
Speed Skating Canada
Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca 
Phone: 514 213-9897
Website: www.speedskating.ca  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC