PLYMOUTH, Mich. – John Wroblewski, a former player and assistant coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, has been named a head coach of the NTDP it was announced by USA Hockey.
“We’re extremely pleased to have John back with the NTDP,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “He’s had success as a coach at various levels of the game and is the type of coach that, as a parent, you’d want your son to play for. John is a high-energy person that thrives on development, which is what the NTDP is all about.”
Wroblewski, who will serve as the head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team at the NTDP in 2016-17, spent the 2015-16 campaign as head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League where led the squad to a 31-20-9 mark.
“It’s terrific to welcome John back to the NTDP,” said Scott Monaghan, senior director of operations for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. “Having played and coached here before, he has a unique perspective that will be of great benefit to everyone involved in the program.”
Wroblewski, a native of Neenah, Wisconsin, played at the NTDP in its first two seasons on the ice (1997-99) and served as an assistant coach from 2007-2010.
“Needless to say, I couldn’t be more excited and honored to have this opportunity,” said Wroblewski. “The NTDP is a special place and has had an important role in the development of our sport over the last 20 years.”
Wroblewski, who played four seasons (1999-2003) of college hockey at the University of Notre Dame where he served as a team captain, was an assistant coach for the Rochester Americans of the AHL the two seasons (2013-15) prior to joining Youngstown.
He arrived in Rochester after two years (2011-13) as the head coach at Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL, where he won two Southeast Division titles, had the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference over two years (.632), and shared honors as the 2011-12 ECHL Coach of the Year.
Wroblewski also served as an assistant coach for Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL for one season (2010-11).
Following his four-year professional playing career with the Fresno Falcons (2003-07), Wroblewski broke into the coaching ranks as a volunteer assistant for the NTDP before gaining a full-time spot.
He will begin his duties at the NTDP immediately.
NOTES: USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program is housed at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The NTDP, which was founded by USA Hockey in 1996, began operations in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and remained there until the summer of 2015 … Wroblewski is just the 10th head coach in the history of the NTDP, joining Danton Cole (2010-present), Mike Eaves (2000-02), Don Granato (2011-16), John Hynes (2003-09), Jeff Jackson (1997-2000), Kurt Kleinendorst (2009-10), Moe Mantha (2000-03), David Quinn (2002-04) and Ron Rolston (2004-11).
