In a move that probably isn’t too surprising to anyone, USA Hockey has announced that John Hynes will coach the United States Men’s National Team that will compete in the World Championship this may. The tournament will be held in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia and will mark Hynes’ debut with the Men’s National Team.
John Hynes has been named head coach of the 2016 U.S. Men's National Team: https://t.co/3nbkJ9Irao #2016MWC pic.twitter.com/zNUZY7z2gX
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 8, 2016
Jim Johannson, who serves as assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey and as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, had this to say about the selection according to USA Hockey’s official website:
“John has been involved with U.S. teams on multiple occasions in the past and we’re excited to have him leading our team at the Men’s World Championship. John’s teams are always well prepared and his extensive knowledge of our player pool is a big benefit as well.”
Hynes is currently in his first season as an NHL coach and has lead the New Jersey Devils to a 37-36-8 record through 81 games played this year. Prior to taking up the post in New Jersey, he spent six seasons coaching the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at the AHL level. He compiled a 231-126-27 record in the AHL and was named the league’s coach of the year in 2011.
At the national level, Hynes spent six seasons behind the bench for the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and in 2004 he was an assistant coach on the 2004 gold-medal winning US team at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He will also be an assistant coach for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.