Hockey Canada announced Monday that Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will return as coach of Canada's team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics in February.
Babcock will be assisted by St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock, Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff and Claude Julien of the Boston Bruins.
Babcock, Hitchcock and Ruff were part of the staff that helped Canada win gold in 2010 in Vancouver.
Babcock, 50, is the only coach with a Stanley Cup win, an IIHF world championship and an Olympic gold medal.
"I am extremely proud to represent my country and coach Team Canada," Babcock said in a statement. "To have had the opportunity to share the Olympics with family, friends and all Canadians in Vancouver was something very special. To win gold in Canada was a dream come true. In February, we will have a whole set of new challenges with a new group of players and staff. I am very excited to be working with Claude, Lindy, Ken, the management group, support staff and players to defend our Olympic gold medal."
The 2014 Olympic hockey tournament runs Feb. 12-23.
The coaching staff was named by Canada's management group, which consists of executive director Steve Yzerman and Doug Armstrong, Ken Holland, Kevin Lowe, Bob Nicholson and Brad Pascall. The coaches will conduct Canada's Olympic orientation camp in Calgary from Aug. 25-28.
"Canada's coaching staff has a great deal of international and professional experience for the challenge that awaits us in Sochi," Yzerman said. "Mike did a great job setting the foundation for our gold medal win in Vancouver, and I know that with Ken, Claude and Lindy working with him, our team will be very well-prepared."
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