COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.) has been named head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team that will compete in the 2017 International Paralympic Committee Sled Hockey World Championship, April 11-20, in Gangneung, South Korea. Gosselin replaces former head coach Jeff Sauer (Madison, Wis.), who passed away on Feb. 2, 2017.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have Guy come on board to lead Team USA for the remainder of the season,” said Dan Brennan, director of inline and sled hockey national teams for USA Hockey and general manager of the 2016-17 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “His familiarity with our players, staff and style of play will help our preparations for the world championship this April. Our players are excited to have him back on the bench as we aim for another gold medal.”
This will be Gosselin’s second stint with the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team after working alongside Sauer as an assistant coach from 2011-15. During his time with Team USA, Gosselin helped the U.S. claim gold medals at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2012 IPC Sled Hockey World Championship in Hamar, Norway, as well as a silver medal at the 2013 IPC Sled Hockey World Championship in Goyang City, South Korea.
The two-time U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team member (1988, 1992) and three-time U.S. Men’s National Team member (1986, 1990, 1991), Gosselin is currently a regional manager of USA Hockey’s American Development Model.
Prior to joining USA Hockey, Gosselin served 14 years as general manager of the Ozaukee Ice Center in Mequon, Wisconsin. He helped found the NCAA Division III Concordia University Wisconsin men’s and women’s ice hockey teams and implemented on- and off-ice youth programs.
Gosselin played professionally for parts of six seasons, including a five-game stint with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets following the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. In North America, Gosselin skated two seasons (1988-90) with the Moncton Hawks of the American Hockey League and finished his career with the International Hockey League’s Kansas City Blades in 1993-94. He also skated in Sweden for two seasons (1990-91, 1992-93) with Skellftea AIK.
The University of Minnesota Duluth graduate played parts of five seasons (1982-87) with the Bulldogs’ men’s ice hockey team and helped lead UMD to back-to-back (1984, 1985) Western Collegiate Hockey Association championships and Frozen Four appearances.
U.S. SLED TEAMS TO TRAIN IN INDIAN TRAIL, NORTH CAROLINA
The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team will train this weekend (Feb. 23-25) at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Team USA will be joined by the U.S. Development Sled Hockey Team for the duration of camp.
Both teams will conduct practices on Friday (Feb. 24) and Saturday (Feb. 25) morning before facing off at 3:30 p.m. ET each day. All practices and games are open to the public. For a complete schedule, click here.
The 2016-17 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team is led by captain Andy Yohe (Bettendorf, Iowa) and alternate captains Nikko Landeros (Johnstown, Colo.) and Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.). In addition to Landeros and Pauls, the U.S. roster includes two other two-time Paralympic gold medalists, including forward Adam Page (Lancaster, N.Y.) and goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.). For the complete 2016-17 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster, click here.
NOTES: Labatt USA is a proud sponsor of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team … Team USA will conduct another training camp in Santa Barbara, California, March 23-26 as a final tuneup for the 2017 IPC Sled Hockey World Championship … Last December, the United States claimed an unprecented third-straight World Sled Hockey Challenge championship in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and has now won six straight major international titles, including the 2016 (Dec.) World Sled Hockey Challenge in Charlottetown, P.E.I.; the 2016 IPC Sled Hockey Pan-Pacific Championship in Buffalo, New York; the 2016 (Jan.) World Sled Hockey Challenge in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; the 2015 IPC Sled Hockey World Championship in Buffalo, New York; the 2015 World Sled Hockey Challenge in Leduc, Alberta; and the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia … Head coach Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.) is joined by assistant coach David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.), athletic trainer Mike Cortese (Boynton Beach, Fla.), equipment manager Joel Isaacson (Houghton, Mich.), and team physician Mike Uihlein (Grafton, Wis.). Cortese, Isaacson, and Uihlein have been staff members for the past four seasons.
