It is Bruce Boudreau who will be tasked with leading Canada to its 17th career title at the Spengler Cup.
On Friday, Hockey Canada announced that the 68-year-old has been given the position of head coach of the Maple Leaf team for the competition, which will take place from December 26th to 31st. He will be assisted by deputies Larry Mitchell, Jim Playfair and Jeff Tomlinson.
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The team's two general managers, Brad Pascall and Joe Thornton, along with their assistant Hnat Domenichelli, selected the team of instructors.
“These four coaches each have a long history of success, be it in the National League [LNH]the American League or in Europe and bring diversity that only benefits the team,” Pascall said in a statement.
This marks a return behind the bench for Boudreau, who was released by the Vancouver Canucks in January. He currently works as a consultant for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Boudreau is the 20th head coach alongside Jacques Lemaire, making him the most successful coach in NHL history. The man who also coached the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild has a record of 617-342-128 on the Bettman circuit.
The Spengler Cup tournament is a competition that brings together teams invited by HC Davos, the event's host team since 1923. Canada usually sends a selection of players who work primarily in Europe. The unifolié is the most successful club with 16 coronations, one more than the host team.