DAVOS, Switzerland – Hockey Canada has announced that Jeremy Colliton will replace Claude Julien as head coach of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team at the Beijing Games.
The organization announced the news in a press release on Sunday morning.
During a team building activity during training camp in Switzerland, Julien slipped on the ice and fractured his ribs, Hockey Canada explained in its press release.
After consultation with team medical staff and other medical experts, it was determined that the injury would prevent him from flying to Beijing to compete in the Games.
“(Julien) was obviously devastated to hear this news, because he wanted to be there so badly,” chief executive Shane Doan said in a videoconference Sunday afternoon.
Julien sent a message to the players in which he said that the change of instructors is just adversity, and that they now have the opportunity to show how they will react to it, said Colliton, during the videoconference. .
“That probably won’t be the only obstacle we’re going to come across,” he said.
Despite the injury, Colliton expects Julien to be involved during the tournament.
“He’s got so much experience, such a track record of success and he’s been so involved in the process to get the team ready,” said Colliton, 37.
“We have prepared a plan for the preparation of the team and their way of playing. And we’re trying to move forward with those plans. »
Colliton was the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks at various times during four seasons (2018-2021) after being promoted from the Rockford IceHogs in the American League.
Internationally, he won gold with Canada at the Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship in 2003 and the World Junior Championship in 2005.
Nolan Baumgartner and Tyler Dietrich will retain their roles as assistant coaches, while Doan, assistant general manager and senior vice president of hockey operations Scott Salmond and chief executive Tom Renney will provide day-to-day support to the coaching staff, said Hockey Canada said in its press release.
Canada will play two preseason games before the start of its Olympic tournament on February 10 against Germany. On Tuesday, the Canadian troop will face Switzerland, then the United States, on February 7.
The team is focused on preparing, but Colliton said the players are optimistic heading into the tournament.
“We have a clear feeling that we can win a gold medal. There is no doubt. »
