Canada names assistant coaches for 2026 Olympics
The Team Canada coaching staff for the 2026 Winter Olympics will have a very familiar appearance.
The same NHL head coaches that helped bench boss Jon Cooper guide the Canadians to gold in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February will don jackets and ties for the Milano Cortina competition in Italy.
Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, former Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer and new Philadelphia Flyers coach Rick Tocchet will work with NHL players in the Olympics for the first time in a dozen years. The NHL has not allowed players to participate since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
'This group of coaches will provide consistency and a winning pedigree to our team, and I know our players will greatly benefit from this world-class coaching staff,' Cooper, head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, said in a statement. 'I look forward to working alongside all seven as we look to replicate our 4 Nations success on the Olympic stage in February.'
Cassidy, 60, guided Vegas to a Stanley Cup title in his first season at the helm in 2023. He previously served as bench boss in Washington (2002-04) and Boston (2016-22), leading the Bruins to a berth in the finals in the 2018-19 season.
DeBoer, 57, has served as a head coach for 17 NHL seasons, leading Florida (2008-11), New Jersey (2011-15), San Jose (2015-19), Vegas (2019-22) and Dallas (2022-25). He piloted the Stars to three consecutive Western Conference finals, but could not get to the Stanley Cup Finals, as he did with the Devils (2012) and Sharks (2016).
Tocchet, 61, was hired to lead the Flyers in May after three campaigns with the Vancouver Canucks. He won the Jack Adams Award, given to the league's top head coach, in 2024. Tocchet, who enjoyed 18 seasons a rugged forward in the NHL (1984-2002), also had coaching stints in Tampa Bay (2008-10) and Arizona (2017-21).
Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong (St. Louis Blues GM) headed up the group that made the selections, along with assistant GMs Julien BriseBois (Tampa Bay), Jim Nill (Dallas) and Don Sweeney (Boston), director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Pittsburgh) and Cooper.
'It was important to bring back our elite coaches and support staff from the 4 Nations Face-Off, as this is a group that provides familiarity to our team and brings a desire to help our athletes perform at their best,' Armstrong said. 'Each individual brings unique NHL and international experience to our team, and all staff members will play a key role in Team Canada's preparation and performance. We know everyone is excited for the opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games and wear the Maple Leaf with pride in Italy.'
The men's hockey competition in Milan will take place Feb. 11-22, 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canada News.Net
3 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Islanders sign Matthew Schaefer to entry-level contract
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images) Matthew Schaefer, the top selection in the 2025 NHL draft, has signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the New York Islanders, the team announced on Monday. Schaefer was on hand at Citi Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the game between the New York Mets and the visiting Cleveland Guardians. The team announced the signing of the Stoney Creek, Ont., native just before the pregame ceremony. 'Feels amazing,' Schaefer said at Citi Field. 'Obviously, it's something I've wanted to do my whole life and to do it your first year -- there's still a lot of work, but that was my dream and I want to play in the NHL this season. I wanted to really badly. I know there's going to be a lot of hard work that comes with it, but I think I'm ready.' The defenseman, who will turn 18 next month, has competed with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League for the past two seasons. He earned first-team all-rookie honors in 2023-24. His 2024-25 OHL campaign came to a halt when he suffered an injured collarbone as a member of Team Canada in the 2025 World Junior Championships in Ottawa. To date, Schaefer has amassed 10 goals and 29 assists in 73 games with Erie. He has returned to the ice, competing at Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase. Schaefer will report to training camp with the Islanders, where he could break camp with the NHL club or be sent to Erie for his third season. Schaefer won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 U18 World Hockey Championships in Finland. He is the Islanders' first No. 1 draft pick since they tabbed John Tavares in 2009 and the fifth overall in franchise history.
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Islanders sign No. 1 pick Schaefer to 3-year, entry level contract
The New York Islanders have signed No. 1 draft pick Matthew Schaefer to a three-year, entry level contract. The team announced the deal Monday right around the time the young defenseman threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Mets' home game against the Cleveland Guardians. Schaefer is set to turn 18 next month just before training camp begins. "Feels amazing," Schaefer said at Citi Field. "Obviously, it's something I've wanted to do my whole life and to do it your first year — there's still a lot of work, but that was my dream and I want to play in the NHL this season. I wanted to really badly. I know there's going to be a lot of hard work that comes with it, but I think I'm ready." Signing him to a contract does necessarily mean Schaefer is guaranteed to play this season in the NHL. The Islanders could decide to send him back to the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. Representing Canada at the world junior championships in late December and early January is also a possibility. Schaefer broke a collarbone in the tournament last year, ending his season, and recently got back on the ice at Canada's world junior summer showcase. "I think that was massive for me to get those games in and get those reps in because
Calgary Herald
6 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Canadian skiers shine on home water at IWWF World U21 Waterski Championships in Calgary
Canadian athletes earned multiple medals and a coveted team silver at the 2025 IWWF U21 Waterski Championships this weekend, with Charlie Ross and Hannah Stopnicki both crowned world champions in their events. Article content The three-day tournament, hosted at Predator Bay Waterski Club just south of Calgary, drew top young talent from around the globe. Despite schedule changes due to rainy weather, Canadian skiers delivered standout performances on home water. Article content Ross, a 20-year-old Floridian representing Ontario, defended his men's slalom title in spectacular fashion. In the final, Ross ran an impressive three buoys with the rope shortened to just 10.25 metres, tying a championship record that had stood since 2003. Article content 'That one meant a lot,' said Ross. 'It's my last time being at an event like that . . . Couldn't have been happier to be a part of it, and a great thank you to Predator Bay for all of the work that went into it.' Article content Article content In women's trick, Quebec's Hannah Stopnicki scored 7,460 points in the final round to win gold and bring home the title of world champion. Article content Nellie Allard, also of Quebec, added a bronze in women's jump. She led the preliminary round with a personal-best leap of 47.7 metres and landed 46.7 metres in the final to secure her spot on the podium. Article content Article content Those individual results helped propel Team Canada to second overall in team standings behind the United States, with Austria finishing with the bronze. Article content 'We're exceptionally proud of our team,' said Russ Dickson, president of Waterski and Wakeboard Canada. 'They behaved with the utmost sportsmanship, and they all skied to the best of their abilities.' Article content Another notable Canadian finalist was Kate Pinsonneault of B.C., who placed fourth in women's jump and seventh overall. Evan Kraus (Alta.) tied for fourth in men's slalom, while Olivia Chute (N.S.) finished fourth in women's trick. Article content Australia's Kristy Appleton secured gold, with Maise Jacobsen of Denmark following closely behind. Kate Pinsonneault of B.C. finished just shy of the podium in fourth place with a 42.7 metre jump. Article content Dickson said the event was a success in both atmosphere and performance – and a great showcase of the country's depth in the sport. Article content 'Whenever you host an event on home soil, you're always hoping for at least a few medals, and the team exceeded our expectations,' he said. Article content As the water settles at Predator Bay, organizers set their eyes on hosting the world under-35 tournament, featuring some of the sport's top veteran competitors. Dickson said he expects nearly 250 athletes from around the globe.
