Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Eric Nystrom joins Team USA’s coach staff in World Maccabiah Games

Eric Nystrom Getty

Dallas Stars forward Eric Nystrom has been selected as the assistant coach for Team USA in the upcoming 19th World Maccabiah Games, which will be played in Israel in July, according to the Jewish Chronicle.

NHL Network analyst Billy Jaffe will serve as the team’s head coach.

“It’s an exciting day for Maccabi USA to have an NHL player and analyst as the coaching staff for the Open Men’s Ice Hockey Team,” co-chair Devra Schorr said. “Their contribution to the team will elevate the Games as a whole, along with the support of professional players participating in the return of Ice Hockey at the Maccabiah Games.

“The selection of Billy and Eric was not easy, given the significant number of highly qualified applicants for these coveted coaching positions. Many elite players will participate as members of the USA Open Men’s Team due to the appointment of Billy and Eric as coaches.”

Nystrom is joining a growing list of NHLers who have accepted coaching gigs during the lockout. The list includes:

-- Florida’s Kris Versteeg is behind the bench for the University of Lethbridge. (link)

–- Columbus’ RJ Umberger is doing volunteer work at his alma mater, Ohio State. (link)

–- Colorado’s Ryan O’Byrne joined the staff of the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. (link)

–- Toronto’s John-Michael Liles is behind the bench at Culver Academy in Indiana. (link)

-- Columbus’ Mark Letestu is serving as an assistant coach with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Bonnyville Pontiacs. (link)