Men’s National Softball Team Adds Holoien
to Coaching Staff; Adds Two Core Players

 

(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is pleased to announce the addition of Dean Holoien (Melfort, Sask.) to the Men’s National Team coaching staff. Holoien will serve as the team’s pitching coach on Head Coach John Stuart’s (Langley, B.C.) staff, which includes returning assistant coaches John Hill (St. John’s, N.L.) and Les Howey (Conception Bay, N.L.).
 
“Dean is someone I have been using as an advisor the last few years to provide information on some of the pitchers we have had in our athlete pool” stated Stuart. “He will be a valuable asset going forward with his experience and what he has accomplished in the game. His mental approach to the game and winning attitude will be a welcome addition to our staff. We are very excited to have him help us continue to progress.”
 
Holoien had a distinguished playing career that spanned nearly 40 years and included 12 years with the Canadian Men’s National Team program, competing in two WBSC Men’s Softball World Championships in 2004 (silver) and 2009 (bronze). Since retiring from the Men’s National Team, he has turned his focus and passion for the game towards coaching and instructing with the 222’s softball program in Saskatchewan, which he runs alongside long-time friend and teammate Keith Mackintosh, who is currently the Head Coach of the Junior Women’s National Team.
 
“I am as passionate about the coaching and instructing aspects of the game of softball as I used to be as a player” said Holoien. “I am very honoured to be part of the National Team program again as a coach.”
 
In addition, the coaching staff has added two more core players to the Men’s National Team:

Both McCullough and Schellenberg were members of the 2015 World Championship team, with Schellenberg providing great leadership and defensive depth while McCullough came up huge by pitching four and two-third innings of one-hit ball in relief to earn the Gold medal game win.
 
Team Canada will hold a Selection Camp June 8-11 in Kitchener, ON and will compete in the Vancouver Challenge from June 30 to July 2 before travelling to Whitehorse, Yuk. to defend their title at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship from July 7-16.