There will be a two-week break during the NHL season next year for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, but Bruins head coach Claude Julien will not be able to use that break for a little rest and relaxation. That’s because he’s going to be in Russia for the Games.
The Bruins head coach will be an associate coach for the Canadian team, Hockey Canada announced Monday. The coaching staff will be headed by Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock who will serve in the same role in Sochi. Joining Julien as associate head coaches will be Dallas head coach Lindy Ruff and St. Louis head coach Ken Hitchcock.
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager and Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman has been named the executive director.
Babcock also coached the 2010 team that won the gold medal in Vancouver. Hitchcock and Ruff also served on those staffs.
“Mike did a great job of setting the foundation for our gold medal win in Vancouver and I know that with Ken, Claude and Lindy working with him, our team will be very well prepared.”
This is Julien’s first Olympic job, although he has coaching experience with Hockey Canada. He was an assistant coach on the 2006 Canadian team that won silver at the World Championship, and he won a bronze medal as the head coach of the 2000 world junior team.
