The NHL and NHLPA announced Sunday that Florida Panthers coach Gerard Gallant will replace San Jose Sharks coach Peter DeBoer as an assistant on Team North America for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
DeBoer is relinquishing his role due to personal reasons, according to the league’s press release.
The eight-team tournament will begin in September with six nation-based teams and two non-nation teams, including Team Europe and Team North America. Team North America will feature Canadian and American players 23 and under.
DeBoer is in his first year as the coach of the San Jose Sharks and was chosen back in November to serve as an assistant to former Sharks coach and current Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan. Gallant is in his second season as the coach of the Florida Panthers.
Other assistant coaches will be Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett and Edmonton assistant coach Jay Woodcroft. The team’s general manager is Peter Chiarelli and he will be assisted by Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, who serves as the team’s associate general manager.
Team North America, along with the other seven World Cup teams, will announce the first 16 players of each roster on Wednesday.
PROJECTED WORLD CUP ROSTER:
Team Canada World Cup Roster Projection
Team Czech Republic World Cup Roster Projection
Team Europe World Cup Roster Projection
Team Finland World Cup Roster Projection
Team North America World Cup Roster Projection
Team Russia World Cup Roster Projection
Team Sweden World Cup Roster Projection
Team USA World Cup Roster Projection