Phoenix Coyotes coach Dave Tippett on Wednesday was named coach for the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship next month in Minsk, Belarus.
The announcement was made by Hockey Canada in collaboration with general manager Rob Blake. New Jersey Devils coach Peter DeBoer and Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice will serve as associate coaches. The World Championship will take place May 9-25.
"As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to the challenge of representing Canada at the World Championship," Tippett said in a statement. "Hockey Canada has had a great season this year, so we look forward to capitalizing on that momentum in Belarus. I am looking forward to working with Peter, Paul and all of our players and staff, as we assemble a team that will play a good brand of Canadian hockey and make Canadians proud."
Tippett, 52, has twice served as an associate coach for Canada at the World Championship, winning a silver medal in 2009. He has been the coach of the Coyotes the past five seasons, leading them to three appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and two 40-win seasons. He won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL coach of the year in 2009-10 after leading Phoenix to a 50-win season.
Prior to the Coyotes, Tippett coached the Dallas Stars to two Pacific Division titles and five playoff appearances. His NHL playing career spanned 721 games over 11 seasons with the Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.
He twice represented Canada at the Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal in 1992, and serving as captain in 1984. Tippett also played for Canada in 1983-84 and 1991-92.
Blake acknowledged he expects to name the first group of players to the Canada roster in the coming week. It will be comprised of players not involved in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Blake can register up to 25 players, including three goaltenders.
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