| Assistant Coaches, Support Staff for 2021 U.S. National Junior Team Announced |
| Team set to compete in 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship |
| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey announced that Ted Donato (Cambridge, Massachusetts/Harvard University), Kris Mayotte (Ann Arbor, Michigan/University of Michigan) and Steve Miller (Columbus, Ohio/Ohio State University) will serve as assistant coaches, and Theresa Feaster (Providence, Rhode Island/Providence College) as video coach, for the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2020 – Jan. 5, 2021 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. The group will assist Nate Leaman (Providence, Rhode Island), head men’s ice hockey coach at Providence College, who was previously announced as head coach of the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team. “We’re extremely fortunate to have an experienced coaching and support staff in place,” said John Vanbiesbrouck (Detroit, Michigan), general manager of the U.S. National Junior Team and assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “It’s a group that brings varied experience and perspective along with a winning pedigree.” ABOUT DONATODonato, head men’s ice hockey coach at Harvard University, is making his first appearance on the coaching staff of a U.S. National Junior Team, but is no stranger to international hockey. The 13-year NHL veteran played on the 1988 U.S. National Junior Team in Moscow and was also a member of Team USA in the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France. In addition, Donato played in three IIHF Men’s World Championships, serving as captain in 1997 and also representing the U.S. at the event in 1999 and 2002. The former Harvard captain and 1989 NCAA champion has guided his alma mater as head coach to four ECAC Hockey titles and three Ivy League championships, along with six NCAA tournament berths across 16 seasons. Ted’s son Ryan Donato played on the bronze medal-winning 2016 U.S. National Junior Team, as well as the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. ABOUT MAYOTTEMayotte returns as an assistant coach for a third time after helping the U.S. National Junior Team claim the gold medal in 2017 and a bronze medal in 2018. Mayotte is currently in his second season as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan men’s ice hockey team after serving four seasons in a similar capacity at Providence College under head coach Nate Leaman, where he helped the Friars to the 2015 NCAA national championship. Mayotte previously coached two seasons at St. Lawrence University as an assistant coach from 2012-14 after one season as a volunteer assistant coach at Cornell. Mayotte was a four-year starter in net at Union College from 2002-06 and went on to play five seasons professionally across the American Hockey League and ECHL. ABOUT MILLERMiller returns as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Junior Team for the fifth straight year after helping the United States earn medals in 2017 (gold), 2018 (bronze) and 2019 (silver). Miller helped lead the Providence College men’s ice hockey team to the 2015 national championship under head coach Nate Leaman, his third NCAA national championship as an assistant coach after winning back-to-back titles with Denver in 2004 and 2005. Miller’s 31-year coaching career began in 1989 and has seen him contribute to 19 NCAA tournament berths, four Frozen Four appearances, seven conference tournament titles, and five regular-season league championships during his time with St. Mary’s University, Miami University, University of Denver, Providence College, Air Force Academy and Ohio State University. ABOUT FEASTERFeaster is making her first appearance as a member of the U.S. National Junior Team coaching staff and is the first female to ever serve on the coaching staff of a U.S. National Junior Team. The 2020-21 season will be her ninth at Providence, and fifth season as the director of men’s ice hockey operations. She was a graduate assistant for two years prior to head coach Nate Leaman offering her a full-time opportunity in 2016, becoming at the time one of two women working as full-time hockey staff members for Division I men’s hockey teams. ADDITIONAL TEAM STAFFThe remainder of the team staff includes athletic trainers Stan Wong (Boca Raton, Florida/USA Hockey) and Jason Hodges (Plymouth, Michigan/USA Hockey NTDP), equipment managers Scott Aldrich (Colorado Springs, Colorado/USA Hockey) and Nate LaPoint (Madison, Wisconsin/University of Wisconsin), team leader Marc Boxer (Colorado Springs, Colorado/USA Hockey), communications Aaron Westendorf (Cincinnati, Ohio/USA Hockey), and digital content Kyle Huson (Parker, Colorado/USA Hockey). In addition, Ben Smith (Gloucester, Massachusetts/USA Hockey), Ryan Martin (Detroit, Michigan/Detroit Red Wings) and Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis, Missouri/St. Louis Blues) will serve as scouts and assist Vanbiesbrouck and the coaching staff in building the final roster for the team. NOTES: The United States enters the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship seeking its fifth medal in six years after earning a record four-consecutive medals: gold in 2017, silver in 2019, and bronze in both 2018 and 2016 … To date, the U.S. National Junior Team has claimed 12 medals, including four gold (2017, 2013, 2010, 2004), two silvers (2019, 1997) and six bronze (2018, 2016, 2011, 2007, 1992, 1986) … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, New York), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams. For more information about the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship click here. |
