Claude Julien, who was to be the head coach of Team Canada at the Olympic Games, was injured and will not be able to accompany the team to Beijing. Jeremy Colliton will take his place.
Posted at 11:12 a.m.
Updated at 11:25 a.m.
Hockey Canada made the announcement in a press release Sunday morning.
During a team activity in Davos, Switzerland, Julien slipped on the ice and fractured his ribs. Canadian training medical staff and other medical experts determined that he could not travel to Beijing.
“Claude was beyond thrilled and honored to be a member of Team Canada at the Olympics and we are all disappointed that he can no longer lead our team,” said general manager Shane Doan. Claude is in good spirits and we will continue to do all we can to support him. »
Jeremy Colliton, who led the Chicago Blackhawks for four seasons from 2018 to 2021, will lead Team Canada for the Games, which begin this Friday.
PHOTO CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Jeremy Colliton
“Jeremy is a talented young coach with a great career ahead of him,” Doan said. We know he’s going to do an exceptional job leading our team behind the bench in Beijing. Although we are thrilled for Jeremy, we know that Claude will support us from start to finish and we wish him a speedy recovery. »
Prior to becoming a coach, Colliton played professionally for six seasons with the New York Islanders and their academy, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He was also part of Team Canada a few times, winning gold (2005) and silver (2004) at the World Juniors.
“It’s difficult to replace a coach who has a pedigree like Claude Julien’s, but I’m honored to have been chosen to lead the Canadian team,” he said.
“We have a very tight-knit and experienced coaching staff, who have learned a lot from Claude during our short time together, and I know he will continue to support each other as we look to achieve our goal of winning. an Olympic gold medal. »
Nolan Baumgartner and Tyler Dietrich will assist him, as they were to do with Julien.
This is the third time in a matter of weeks that Team Canada has changed head coaches. Before the NHL decided not to send its players to the Games, Tampa Bay Lightning pilot Jon Cooper was to take charge of the training.