Hockey Canada has put together an impressive coaching staff for the upcoming World Championships.
Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper will be the head man behind the bench, joined by assistants Gerard Gallant, Philly’s Dave Hakstol and veteran national team coach Dave King, Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday.
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“Canada has tremendous depth in both its player and coaching pool, and we are fortunate to welcome a blend of experience and new faces to our program for this year’s IIHF World Championship,” said Tom Renney, president and CEO, Hockey Canada. “This is always an exciting event that brings Canadian hockey fans together to cheer on the red-and-white, and our players have four talented coaches and leaders in this group to work with and learn from.”
This will mark Cooper’s first stint with Hockey Canada. Gallant was an assistant on the 2007 World Championship team (and, it should be noted, worked with Cooper on the Team North America staff at the World Cup).
Hakstol’s inclusion comes shortly after his GM with the Flyers, Ron Hextall, was appointed general manager of the Canadian squad.