| Team Will Compete in 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship | |
| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Chris Drury, who in his sixth year with the NHL’s New York Rangers where he serves as associate general manager, and also as general manager of the Rangers’ AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, has been named general manager of the 2021 U.S. Men’s National Team it was announced by USA Hockey. The team will compete in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship, May 21-June 6, in Riga, Latvia. Drury served in the same capacity for the 2019 U.S. Men’s National Team and was also named to be the GM of the 2020 U.S. Men’s National Team before the IIHF canceled the 2020 Men’s World Championship.Drury will be assisted by the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, led by John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, and including NHL general managers David Poile, Don Waddell, Stan Bowman, Jeff Gorton, Lou Lamoriello, Bill Guerin, Tom Fitzgerald, Bill Zito and Kevyn Adams. “It’s great to have Chris back as the general manager of our men’s national team,” said Vanbiesbrouck. “He’s transitioned from his days as a player and emerged as one of the bright young stars on the management side of the game. “Together with our Men’s National Team Advisory Group, we’re very fortunate to have an experienced and passionate group involved to help us put together a team that will compete for a gold medal.” “I’m humbled to be asked and really excited about the tournament,” said Drury. “It’s always such an honor to represent our country on the international stage. “We have as much depth in our player pool as we’ve ever had and I look forward to working with our Men’s National Team Advisory Group in putting together a team that will give us the best chance to bring home a gold medal.” 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). NOTES: For complete coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, click here … The official online home of the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship is 2021.IIHFWorlds.com … The U.S. is 19-7 in its last three world championship appearances. Team USA won five of eight games in 2019 and finished seventh in the tournament. The U.S. has earned three bronze medals in the last seven tournaments, including 2018, 2015 and 2013. (USA Hockey Photo) |
