He did not spend a lot of time in Belleville, however, the coach of Team Canada’s U18 program was born in The Friendly City.
“My family was living in Orillia at the time, my mom and my dad, I believe our family doctor was there (in Belleville). That’s why I was born in Belleville. For some reason I was born there, but I don’t believe I lived more than a couple days there when I was in the hospital. Whenever somebody looks at my place of birth, they just put it as my hometown.”
Bannister, who is coming off a stint as head coach of the St Louis Blues says there are differences between teens and professionals, however, the gap is shrinking.
“I find today’s players are a little bit more ready, or they’re quicker to be ready for the pro level, the NHL level, than probably back in my day strictly because of the teaching that they’re getting from coaches, the off-ice preparation in the summertime, and skillwise.”
He represented Team Canada at the 1993-94 World Junior Hockey Championships, winning gold.
Bannister is also an OHL, Memorial Cup, and AHL Calder Cup winner.
