CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has named the management and coaching staff of Canada’s National Men’s Team for the 2022 Spengler Cup, Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.
Following his role as general manager of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team in Beijing and management roles at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and 2019 Spengler Cup, Shane Doan (Halkirk, Alta.) will serve as general manager of Team Canada in Switzerland. Ray Whitney (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.), Daniel Brière (Gatineau, Que./Philadelphia, NHL) and Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C./SC Bern, NL) will join Doan as members of the management group.
Behind the bench, Travis Green (Castlegar, B.C.) has been tasked with leading Canada to a sixth-consecutive appearance in the championship game, alongside assistant coaches Scott Niedermayer (Cranbrook, B.C./Anaheim, NHL), Josh Holden (Calgary, Alta./EV Zug, NL) and Ben Cooper (Vancouver, B.C./EC Salzburg, ICEHL).
Canada captured the Spengler Cup championship the last time the tournament was played, in 2019, its fourth title in five years and 16th overall. The tournament was cancelled the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are excited to announce our management group and coaching staff to lead Canada’s National Men’s Team at the Spengler Cup,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations. “With Travis, Scott, Josh and Ben behind the bench we will rely on their leadership, and NHL and international experience to help Canada compete for another championship. Shane’s previous experience will be invaluable as he, Andrew, Danny and Ray look to build a championship team in Switzerland.”
Green spent parts of five seasons as head coach of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks (2018-22). Prior to that he coached their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets, for four seasons (2013-17), reaching the Calder Cup Final in 2015. He was also an assistant coach with the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Portland Winterhawks from 2010-13, winning the league championship and a spot in the Memorial Cup final as interim head coach in 2013. Internationally, he won the Spengler Cup with Canada’s National Men’s Team in 2007. He represented Canada at the IIHF World Championship on three occasions, winning gold in 1997 and a silver medal in 1996.
Niedermayer will be making his coaching debut with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the Spengler Cup. He currently serves as executive advisor of hockey operations with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. He spent four seasons as a development coach with Anaheim (2016-19) also serving as an assistant coach for three seasons (2012-15). As a player, Niedermayer made his international debut at the 1991 IIHF World Junior Championship, winning a gold medal. He joined the exclusive Triple Gold Club in 2004 after winning the IIHF World Championship to go along with two Olympic gold medals (2002, 2010) and four Stanley Cup championships (1995, 2000, 2003 with New Jersey and 2007 with Anaheim). He also won the World Cup of Hockey championship with Canada in 2004.
Holden is in his fifth season as an assistant coach with EV Zug of the National League (NL) in Switzerland. He played for Canada’s National Junior Team at the 1998 IIHF World Junior Championship and represented Canada four times at the Spengler Cup (2005, 2006, 2010 and 2012), winning the championship in his final appearance.
Cooper is in his second season as an assistant coach with EC Salzburg of the ICEHL and was the head coach of the Herning Blue Fox in Denmark for two seasons (2019-21). Prior to his move to Europe, he was an assistant and video coach with the NHL’s Florida Panthers (2017-19), as well as a video coach with the Vancouver Canucks (2014-17) and AHL’s Toronto Marlies (2005-08). He also served as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Victoria Royals for two seasons (2011-13). Internationally, he was the video coach for Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Championship, three IIHF World Junior Championships (2009, 2010, 2011), the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championship, 2009 Deutschland Cup and 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
In addition, the support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2022 Spengler Cup includes:
Canada is grouped with host HC Davos and Sparta Prague for the preliminary round and will open the 2022 Spengler Cup on Dec. 26 at 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT against Sparta Prague. Preliminary-round action wraps up on Dec. 28, with the championship game set for Dec. 31.
Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partner TSN will broadcast all 11 games from the tournament; check local listings for details.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.