Gerard Gallant to coach Team Canada at Spengler Cup
Hockey Canada announced Friday that Gerard Gallant has been named the head coach for the 2024 Spengler Cup
Gerard Gallant will take the reins as head coach at the #SpenglerCup, alongside assistants Dave Hakstol, Mike Kelly and Johan Lundskog.
Gerard Gallant sera l’entraîneur-chef à la #CoupeSpengler aux côtés des adjoints Dave Hakstol, Mike Kelly et Johan Lundskog.
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 13, 2024
Dave Hakstol, Mike Kelly and Johan Lundskog were also named assistant coaches for the tournament.
“We are excited to be led by Gerard, Dave, Mike and Johan, who have amassed more than five decades of experience coaching both in the NHL and Europe, and we know that experience will benefit our team as we look to bring home a championship,” Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, said in a statement.
This will be the first time Gallant has coached for Canada since the 2021 IIHF World Championship, where he helped lead the group to a gold medal. He was also an assistant coach at the Worlds in 2007 (gold) and in 2017 (silver).
The news comes just one day after Hockey Canada announced that former NHL forward Joe Thornton and Calgary Flames Assistant General Manager Brad Pascall have assumed the roles of co-general manager for Canada’s Spengler Cup group.
Former NHL forward Hnat Domenichelli returns as the group’s assistant general manager.
“Brad, Joe and Hnat brought tremendous leadership and experience to our group last year and we are thrilled to have them return and build upon last season,” Salmond said. “Each bring their own knowledge having represented Canada on multiple occasions and in varying roles.”
Canada opens the 2024 Spengler Cup against host team HC Davos on Dec. 26 at 2:15 p.m. ET / 11:15 a.m. PT. The championship game is set for Dec. 31 at 6:10 a.m. ET / 3:10 a.m. PT.