COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Hockey announced today that Brett Strot (Tampa, Fla.) will serve as associate head coach and Paul Mara (Pictured above) assistant coach (Belmont, Mass.) to previously announced head coach Robb Stauber (Medina, Minn.) for the 2017-18 U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team and 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
“We have a terrific coaching and support staff,” said Reagan Carey, USA Hockey director of women’s hockey and general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team. “Brett has incredible passion and vision for this team and continues to be an integral part of our success, while Paul has been a terrific new addition to our team with his focus specifically on our defensive core.”
StrotABOUT BRETT STROT: Strot has been involved with the women’s national team since August 2012 and most recently served as an assistant coach with Team USA for the eighth time at the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship, where he helped guide the team to a gold medal, the seventh for Team USA in the last eight world championships. Strot was also on the staff for the IIHF Women’s World Championship in 2015 and 2016.
He also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2015 and 2016 Four Nations Cups, and a pair of games against Canada in December 2016, including the Team USA Winter Champions Series. He served as an assistant with the U.S. Under-22 Women’s Select Team at the Under-22 Series vs. Canada in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
MaraABOUT PAUL MARA: The 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship marked the second time Mara served as an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Team. He served in the same capacity for the U.S. Women’s National Team for a two-game series vs. Canada in December 2016.
The defenseman played parts of 12 seasons in the NHL and was a bronze medalist with Team USA at the 2004 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Team USA Support Staff Also Unveiled
USA Hockey also announced the support staff for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, including strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe (McCloud, Calif.); mental skills coach Dr. Colleen Hacker (Tacoma, Wash.); head scout Matt Kelly (Hope, R.I.); team physician Dr. Ally Howe (Portland, Maine); athletic trainer Sheri Walters (Wapanucka, Okla.); massage therapist Jennifer Chee (Colorado Springs, Colo.); sports dietitian Carrie Aprik (Royal Oak, Mich.); equipment manager Brent Proulx (St. Paul, Minn.); video coordinator Nick Laurila (Carol Stream, Ill.) and communications manager Andrea Mazzarelli (Revere, Mass.).
NOTES: USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams… All members of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team are subject to the approval of the U.S. Olympic Committee … The 2018 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 8-25, 2018, in PyeongChang, South Korea.
