More changes for Team Canada’s men’s hockey team ahead of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Head Coach Claude Julien slipped and fell while on the ice during team building activities in Switzerland.
The 61 year old reportedly fractured several ribs, and has been advised not to fly to Beijing on the advice of medical experts. As a result, former Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton will take over coaching duties for the Canadian squad.
Colliton was already named to Julien’s coaching staff as an assistant and has therefore been present for all team related activities up to this point. The 37 year old was relieved of his duties earlier this season after Chicago stumbled out of the gates en route to a 1-9-2 record. At the time of his hiring in 2018, he was the youngest active head coach in the NHL.
Team Canada General Manager Shane Doan stated “We are fortunate to have an experienced coaching staff, and Jeremy is a talented, young coach with a long career ahead of him…We know he will do an exceptional job leading our team behind the bench in Beijing. While we are excited for Jeremy to take on this challenge, we know Claude will be supporting us every step of the way and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
In a statement posted to the Team Canada website, Colliton remarked “While it is difficult to fill in for a coach that has a pedigree like Claude Julien, I am honoured to be considered as the person to lead Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team as head coach…We have a very close-knit, experienced coaching staff that has gained a lot of knowledge from Claude in our short time together, and I know our staff will continue to support each other as we look to achieve our goal of winning an Olympic gold medal.”
Nolan Baumgartner and Tyler Dietrich will remain onboard as assistant coaches. It is not expected that Doan and the Canadian squad will bring in an additional coach in Julien’s absence.