Vegas Golden Knights Head Coach Peter DeBoer looks toward the Jumbotron during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena Sunday, June 6, 2021. Assistant Coach Ryan Craig is at right.
Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 | 7:48 a.m.
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Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer will serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Hockey Canada announced today.
In addition, Golden Knights Director of Hockey Operations Misha Donskov was named Team Canada’s special assistant of coaching operations.
DeBoer, a Dunnville, Ontario, native, will work under head coach Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning) and alongside fellow assistants Bruce Cassidy (Boston Bruins) and Barry Trotz (New York Islanders).
This will be DeBoer’s first stint as an Olympic coach, but he has represented Canada on the world’s stage numerous times.
He was on the coaching staff for Canada’s 2015 World Championship gold medal, as well as in 2014 and 2010. He also helped coach the 2005 World Junior Championship squad that won gold.
The NHL is planning on sending players and coaches to both the 2022 and 2026 Olympics after missing the 2018 Games. There is a three-week break written into this year’s schedule. Coronavirus protocols, however, may prevent NHL representatives from participating, and a new schedule will be released if that is the case.
Canada won gold at the 2010 and 2014 Games, the last two in which NHL players participated. Canada also won in 2002.
DeBoer could be taking a few Vegas players with him to Beijing. Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was on the 2014 team in Sochi, and Mark Stone and Shea Theodore are considered strong possibilities for this year’s team. It’s also possible former goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, traded to Chicago this offseason, suits up for Canada.
DeBoer could also face several of his current players. Max Pacioretty is expected to garner consideration for Team USA, and Team Sweden could have William Karlsson and Robin Lehner represent the Golden Knights.
