Guy Gosselin has been named head coach of the United States national ice sledge hockey team that will compete in the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Gangneung in South Korea.
Gosselin replaces former head coach Jeff Sauer who passed away on February 2, 2017.
The 73-year-old had been battling pancreatic cancer and lost his fight against the condition.
He led them to success at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games with a 1-0 win over host nation Russia in the final and was still head coach at the time of his death.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have Guy come on board to lead Team USA for the remainder of the season,” said Dan Brennan, director of inline and Para ice hockey national teams for USA Hockey and general manager of the 2016-17 US team.
“His familiarity with our players, staff and style of play will help our preparations for the World Championship this April.
“Our players are excited to have him back on the bench as we aim for another gold medal.”
This will be Gosselin’s second stint with the US team after working alongside Sauer as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2015.
During his time with the US team, Gosselin helped them to Sochi 2014 gold and the 2012 and 2013 World Championships.
A double US Olympic men’s ice hockey team member at Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992, Gosselin played professionally for parts of six seasons, including a five-game stint with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Winnipeg Jets following the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.
The US team is currently training at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail in North Carolina.
By Max Winters
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.