Jeremy Colliton of Blackie, Alberta has been named the head coach for Team Canada in men’s hockey at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Colliton takes over from Claude Julien of Blind River, Ontario, who broke his ribs while falling on the ice in a Team Canada practice in Switzerland.
Both Colliton and Julien have National Hockey League experience as a coach. Colliton coached the Chicago Blackhawks from 2018 to 2021, while Julien coached the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Boston Bruins from 2002 to 2021. Julien also won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011.
Colliton and Julien also played in the NHL. Colliton played 57 games with the New York Islanders as a center from 2005 to 2011. He had three goals and three assists for six points in five seasons. Julien meanwhile played two seasons from 1984 to 1986 as a defenseman. He had one assist in 14 games.
Team Canada, who are the reigning World Champions, are in Group A alongside Germany, China, and the United States. Germany are the reigning Olympic silver medalists from the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
In women’s hockey. Canada will be coached by Troy Ryan of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ryan coached Canada to a gold medal at the 2021 Women’s World Hockey Championship in Calgary. Canada will begin the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing with a game against Switzerland on Wednesday.
