| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Chris Drury, who in his fourth year as assistant general manager of the NHL’s New York Rangers and general manager of the Rangers’ AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, will serve as general manager of the 2020 U.S. Men’s National Team it was announced today by USA Hockey. Drury, who served in the same capacity for the 2019 U.S. Men’s National Team, will be assisted by the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, led by John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of USA Hockey, and including NHL general managers David Poile, Don Waddell, Dale Tallon, Stan Bowman, Jeff Gorton and Bill Guerin. “Chris had an exceptional playing career and is an emerging star as a manager,” said Vanbiesbrouck. “We’re really pleased to have him back as the general manager of our men’s national team, and coupled with our Men’s National Team Advisory Group, we’re fortunate to have what is truly an all-star group engaged in helping us assemble a team that can compete for a gold medal.” “Anytime you have a chance to represent your country on the international stage – in whatever capacity – it’s truly an honor,” said Drury. “We had a terrific team last year, and while we didn’t get the result we wanted, I think we’re on the cusp of getting to that ultimate goal of winning the gold medal. I’m looking forward to working with the men’s national team advisory group in putting together a roster and staff that will represent our country well.” Drury, who served as part of the management group for U.S. Men’s National Teams in both 2016 and 2017, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 after a 12-year NHL career that included a Stanley Cup championship with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. He competed in eight international events for Team USA during his playing career, including three Olympic Winter Games (2002-silver, 2006, 2010-silver), three IIHF Men’s World Championships (1997, 1998, 2004-bronze), one World Cup of Hockey (2004) and one IIHF World Junior Championship (1996). Additionally, Drury spent four seasons playing at Boston University (1994-98), where he helped lead the Terriers to the 1995 NCAA national championship. Drury captured college hockey’s ultimate individual honor his senior season as the recipient of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and is also a two-time recipient of USA Hockey’s College Player of the Year Award (1997, 1998). The U.S. Men’s National Team will compete in the 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship, May 8-24, in Zurich and Lausanne, Switzerland. NOTES: For complete coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, click here … The official online home of the 2020 IIHF Men’s World Championship is 2020.IIHFWorlds.com … The U.S. is 19-7 over the last three world championships. Team USA won five of eight games a year ago and finished seventh in the tournament. The U.S. has earned three bronze medals in the last seven years, including 2018, 2015 and 2013. (sportsnet.ca photo) |
