Tyler Walsh spent the 2015-16 season, his second with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, as intern assistant coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. While with the U17s last season, Walsh saw Team USA claim second place at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Prior to his time with the NTDP, Walsh spent 2013-14 as director of hockey operations at Canisius College and was responsible for the program's video coordination, travel management and assistance of the Griffins coaching staff. He also compiled scouting reports on opponents.
The East Lansing, Michigan, native spent three seasons (2010-13) as a student assistant coach and video coordinator at the University of Maine. With the Black Bears, Walsh was responsible for scouting opposing teams, video and served as an assistant to the coaching staff. He also earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Maine in 2013.
Additionally, Walsh served as video coordinator for USA Hockey at the 2012 16U and 17U Select Festivals in Rochester, New York. He has also served as an on-ice instructor at summer camps held at the University of Maine and Michigan State University while working with Holt (Mich.) High School.
Don Waddell is an original member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group that was formed in February of 2007 to assist USA Hockey with the selection of players and staff of U.S. Men’s National Teams, including the Olympic Team.
Since July 1, 2014, Waddell has served as the President of Gale Force Sports & Entertainment where he oversees the business side of the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Everblades.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes, he spent three seasons as a professional scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Waddell has had a long-standing relationship with USA Hockey. He served as general manager for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team that competed at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, as well as the U.S. Men’s National Team that played in the 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship.
In addition, Waddell was the assistant general manager for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey team and held the same position for the U.S. Men’s National Team that captured the bronze medal at the 2004 IIHF Men’s World Championship in the Czech Republic, a feat that qualified the United States for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. In 2011, he was the head coach for Team USA at the Deutschland Cup in Germany.
Waddell also served as general manager for both the 2001 and 2002 U.S. Men’s National Teams and he was the assistant general manager of the U.S. Men’s National Team that competed in the 1999 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
In the fall of 2013, Waddell was named international consultant for USA Hockey, with particular focus on player identification and interface with the U.S. National Junior Team and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
As a player, he helped the 1983 U.S. Men’s National Team to the IIHF Pool B World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, and was a member of the first-ever U.S. National Junior Team at the 1977 IIHF World Junior Championship before returning with the 1978 U.S. National Junior Team.
Waddell spent 13 years with the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, serving as the only general manager in club history from 1998-2011. He also took on president duties for the team during the 2010-11 season. On two occasions he took over as interim head coach of the Thrashers.
Prior to joining Atlanta, Waddell served as assistant general manager for the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98.
Waddell and his wife, Cheryl, have a daughter, Chelsea.
Bob Webster, whose extensive involvement with USA Hockey spans five decades, returns as team leader of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 13th straight year. This past February he was tabbed a team leader for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.
The 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team marks Webster’s 28th time serving on a U.S. Men’s National Team. Prior to becoming a team leader in 2006, Webster was an equipment manager for the U.S. on 15 occasions (1979, 1982, 1986-87, 1989-96, 2002-04, 2006-18). He also fulfilled equipment manager duties for the 1998 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, the gold medal-winning 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, the U.S. men’s team that captured the inaugural World Cup of Hockey championship in 1996 and the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1997-2002.
Webster first served as an apprentice equipment manager with the Omaha Knights of the Central Hockey League before moving on to the Roanoke Valley Rebels of the Southern Hockey League in 1975. In 1976, he joined the Colorado Rockies, serving as the team’s equipment manager until 1981.
Currently, Webster works in sales in the construction industry. The Omaha, Neb., native and his wife, Jane, reside in Littleton, Colo. The couple has two children, Ryan and Shannon.
Dr. Doug Weiss, who has been part of the staff of many U.S. teams on the international stage, is serving as team physician for the 2024 U.S. National Junior Team.
Weiss, who currently works at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, V.t., also served as team physician for six previous U.S. Under-18 Men's National Teams (2012, 2014-17, 2022-23), five of which captured gold (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2023). He served in a similar role same capacity for the 2019 and 2021 U.S. Men's National Teams and two U.S. National Junior Teams (2020, 2018-bronze).
Weiss was with Team USA at one Under-18 Five Nations Tournament (2012), one Under-18 Four Nations Tournament (2009) and one World Under-17 Challenge (2010).
Weiss has a wealth of hockey experience. He attended Deerfield (Mass.) Academy (1980-84) where he was captain of the New England Prep School championship team his senior year. Weiss then moved on to play collegiately at Dartmouth College (1984-88) where he was alternate captain his junior year and captain his senior season.
After college, Weiss attended the New York Islanders training camp (1988) and subsequently played for its American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Mass. He went on to play in the ECHL in Johnstown, Pa. (1989-90, 1991-92), as well as Olomouc of the Czechoslovakia National Hockey League (1990-91). He completed his playing career as a player/assistant coach in Odense Denmark (1992-93).
After his playing career, Weiss pursued a medical degree at his alma mater, Dartmouth College. He earned his M.D. in 2001 and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, Mass. Weiss’ orthopedic training was under the guidance of Dr. Richard Steadman and Dr. Marc Philippon at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. His subspecialty interests include shoulder, hip and knee arthroscopy.
Jake Wesolek is in his sixth year with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program as its communications and marketing manager. His responsibilities include serving as the primary media contact for both the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams, as well as handling marketing, sponsorship and game day operations for the NTDP.
Prior to joining the NTDP, he spent three years (2007-10) as director of operations for the Port Huron (Mich.) Icehawks of the International Hockey League, where he was responsible for the team’s marketing and sales efforts. Prior to his time with Port Huron, Wesolek spent one year (2006-07) in Omaha, Neb., as director of game day operations and community relations for the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights of the American Hockey League.
Additionally, Wesolek spent four years (2002-06) with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League coordinating game day activities, promotions, sales and marketing initiatives, as well as media relations.
Wesolek graduated from Central Michigan University in 2002 with a degree in commercial recreation and facility management.
PeeWee Willmann returns as the massage therapist for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the IIHF Men's World Championship for the 13th time in 2024 (2009-11, 2013-19, 2021-22).
Willmann has been part of four bronze medal teams at the IIHF Men’s World Championships, including in 2021, 2018, 2015 and 2013.
Additionally, Willmann was the massage therapist for the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team that captured the bronze medal on home ice in Buffalo, N.Y., as well as seven U.S. Men’s Select Teams (2002-05, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017) that competed in the Deutschland Cup.
Willmann also served as the massage therapist for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.
Willmann has worked with the Hannover Scorpions Hockey Club since 2002 and runs a physical therapy center in Hannover, Germany, where he resides.
Hilary Witt has been involved with the U.S. Women’s National Team over the last seven years, helping the U.S. win a pair of gold medals (2011, 2013) and two silver medals (2007, 2012) at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. She also helped Team USA capture the Four Nations Cup title in 2011 and 2012, along with a second-place finish in 2010. Witt also serves as head scout.
The Canton, Mass. native joined USA Hockey in July 2012 after two seasons as assistant coach at Northeastern University. Prior to that, Witt spent nine campaigns at Yale University (2001-10), including eight as the head coach of the women’s ice hockey team. She was named the 2002-03 ECAC Women’s Hockey Coach of the Year.
As a player, Witt competed on the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2001 and was a two-time All-ECAC selection while playing for Northeastern. She was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Women’s Beanpot Hall of Fame in 2010.
Stan Wong is serving as an athletic trainer for the U.S. Men's National Team at the IIHF Men's World Championship for the 17th time in 2024.
A well-known figure on the international stage, Wong has served as an athletic trainer for the last five U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Teams (2022, 2018, 2014, 2010, 2006); 17 U.S. Men's National Teams (2007-24); 21 U.S. National Junior Teams (2003-24); 10 Deutschland Cup squads (2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2002-05) and for Team USA at the 2012 Youth Olympic Winter Games.
Wong has played a role in helping Team USA capture an Olympic silver medal (2010) and four Men’s World Championship bronze medals (2021, 2018, 2015, 2013).
With the U.S. National Junior Team, Wong has been part of the staff for five gold medal (2021, 2017, 2013, 2010, 2004), one silver medal (2019) and four bronze medal-winning teams (2018, 2016, 2011, 2007).
Previously, Wong worked as the head athletic trainer for the Florida Panthers (1999-2002) and Washington Capitals (1986-99) of the NHL. During his time in the NHL, Wong was named an athletic trainer for both the 1991 and 1999 NHL All-Star Games.
Wong also served as an athletic trainer for the United States Football League’s Boston Breakers (1983-85) as well as with the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl XV (1981).
Wong was inducted into the PHATS/SPHEM Hall of Fame in 2015 and in 2020 received USA Hockey’s Bob Johnson Award for excellence in international competition.
Ron Wilson is serving as head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team for the first time.
Wilson, who is eighth all-time in National Hockey League history in wins, is the first U.S. National Junior Team head coach to have previously served as a head coach in the NHL.
The 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship marks the eighth time Wilson will lead Team USA in international competition. Wilson has been Team USA’s head coach for some of its brightest moments, including guiding Team USA to the silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the championship in the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996. Wilson also directed the U.S. Men’s National Team that captured the bronze medal at the 1996 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Vienna, Austria. The medal was the first for the United States in an IIHF Men’s World Championship A-Pool since 1962 (excluding Olympic years), when the U.S. also earned the bronze.
Wilson also led the U.S. Men’s National Team to fourth-place finishes at the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Bern and Zurich-Kloten, Switzerland, and the 1994 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Bolzano, Canazei and Milan, Italy. He also served as head coach for Team USA at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
An assistant coach for the U.S. entry at the 1990 Goodwill Games, Wilson has been involved with USA Hockey since the mid-1970s, having played for the U.S. Men’s National Team at four IIHF Men’s World Championships (1975, 1981, 1983, 1987). He also captained the 1988 U.S. Men’s Select Team that captured the championship of the prestigious Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.
Wilson, who has coached 1,401 NHL games and has 648 wins to his credit, has 18 years of experience as a head coach in the NHL with stops in Toronto (2008-12), San Jose (2002-08), Washington (1997-2002) and Anaheim (1993-97). In 15 full NHL seasons (minimum 82 games in a season) as head coach, Wilson’s teams reached the post-season eight times; won four division titles; won one playoff conference title; reached the Stanley Cup Final once; reached at least 90 points seven times; reached at least 100 points four times; reached at least 40 wins seven times; and reached 50 wins once.
A seventh-round selection (132nd overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft, Wilson recorded 26 goals and 67 assists for 93 points in 117 career NHL games as a player with Toronto and Minnesota.
Prior to his time in the NHL, Wilson played four years of college hockey at Providence (1973-77). He was an All-America selection twice and a four-time All-ECAC selection. As a sophomore, he was named ECAC Player of the Year when he led the nation with 87 points (26 goals and 61 assists) in only 26 games. Wilson, a member of the Providence Athletic Hall of Fame, still holds the school records (and NCAA records for defensemen) in career points (250), assists (172), most points in a single season (87) and single-season assists (61).
Wilson and his wife, Maureen, have two grown daughters, Kristen and Lauren.
John Wroblewski (Neenah, Wis.) is serving as the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team for the 2023-24 season and has held the same role since August 2022. He led Team USA to its first Women's World Championship since 2019, winning the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship in April 2023.
Wroblewski joins the U.S. Women’s National Team following two years (2020-2022) as the head coach of the Ontario (Calif.) Reign of the AHL and four seasons (2016-2020) as a head coach with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
Over his four years with the NTDP, the program reached its first USHL playoff berth since 2012, its first-ever USHL Eastern Conference Finals appearance (2018) and a top-three finish in all 12 international tournaments entered. From 2016-18, Wroblewski led his team to 33-consecutive international victories. Wroblewski also oversaw the development of 29 NHL Draft picks, including Jack Hughes, who was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft.
At the International Ice Hockey Federation level, Wroblewski served as head coach for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team twice, guiding the U.S. to one gold-medal (2017) and one bronze-medal finish (2019).
Wroblewski previously served as head coach of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms for a season (2015-16) and also spent time on the coaching staffs of the AHL’s Rochester Americans (2013-15), ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators (2011-2013) and the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers (2010-11).
The Neenah, Wisconsin, native began his coaching career as an intern assistant coach with the NTDP and was promoted to a full-time assistant coach the following season, a position he held from 2008-10.
Wroblewski, a player on the inaugural NTDP roster in 1997, skated four years with the University of Notre Dame (1999-2003). He went on to play four years (2003-07) professionally with the ECHL’s Fresno Falcons, recording 125 points (65-60) in 273 career games.
Sheri Walters has been an athletic trainer and physical therapist for the U.S. Women's National Team Program since December 2016 and most recently served as an athletic trainer at the 2018 Four Nations Cup in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Since that time, Walters has been to multiple events, including the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, and 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Plymouth, Michigan, where the U.S. claimed a pair of gold medals.
Walters, an assistant professor at A.T. Still University, also served as part of the medical staff for the 2018 U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team at the Rio 2016 Games.
Walters has been on the medical staff for the Women's National Basketball Association's Detroit Shock, the University of Florida football and golf programs, and Indiana State University athletics.
Walters completed her undergraduate education at East Central University before gaining her master's in physical therapy at the University of Florida and a doctor of physical therapy degree at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Matt Williams, who is currently serving as the Brendan Burke Intern with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, will serve on staff for Team USA for the first time at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
During the 2017-18 NTDP season, the Rochester, Michigan native served on the staff of the U.S. National Under-17 Team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where they placed first and with the U.S. National Under-18 Team that placed first at the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament.
Williams graduated in June 2017 from Western Michigan University with his degree in Business Management. While at Western Michigan, Williams served as head statistician and assistant director of hockey operations where he dealt with scheduling, advanced statistics and assisted the coaching staff.
Prior to joining the NTDP, the Michigan native also served as the operations manager for Eastside Elite Hockey and was on the coaching staff with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the NAHL.
Jared Waimon is serving as goaltending coach of the U.S. National Junior Team for the first time in 2023.
Waimon debuted as a goalie coach for USA Hockey at the Women’s National Team Evaluation Camp in 2018, and has since served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and U.S. Under-17 Select Team that competed at the 2019 Five Nations Tournament. He also works with USA Hockey’s National Developmental Team Program as the Strelow Program East Regional Mentor.
Waimon is currently a goaltending scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning, a position he has held since the 2019-20 season.
Previously, he spent five seasons (2014-19) as the goaltending coach at Quinnipiac University and advised the program's first-ever Mike Richter Award finalist in 2019, who was named a CCM/AHCA Second Team All-American and was the NCAA leader with a 1.51 GAA and .940 save percentage.
In addition, Waimon founded Pro Crease Goaltending in 2007, Connecticut’s largest goalie specific training school. Prior to Quinnipiac, he was the goaltending coach at Sacred Heart University; helped Trinity College win an NCAA Division III National Championship in 2015; and worked at the prep school level, serving as the goalie coach at Westminster School, Avon Old Farms and Salisbury School.
Kristen Wright joined USA Hockey as its manager of girls player development in December 2014. She provides nationwide support for female hockey, including age-appropriate player development, coach development, and club visits with local associations.
A Minnesota native, Wright played hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School before embarking on a decorated career at Connecticut College, during which she was a two-time team captain, a NESCAC Academic All-American, a NESCAC All-Sportsmanship player and an AWCHA National Scholar Athlete selection. She graduated magna cum laude in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and international relations.
After her time in Connecticut, Wright moved west to pursue her law degree at the University of Colorado. During her tenure in Boulder, she also guided the University of Colorado women’s ice hockey team, earning recognition as 2014 Collegiate Sport Clubs Coach of the Year, while founding the ACHA’s Western Women’s Collegiate Hockey Association. She officiated for 9 years and participated in USA Hockey’s Women’s Regional Officiating Camp.
Following her graduation with a juris doctor degree in 2011, Wright served as senior associate counsel at a Colorado law firm. She had her first taste of international hockey competition as an assistant coach for the 2013 U.S. Women’s National University Team. Additionally, she served as an evaluator at USA Hockey Player Development Camp tryouts for the Rocky Mountain and Pacific districts.
Shortly after joining USA Hockey in 2014, Wright again stepped behind the bench for the U.S. Women’s National University Team, this time as head coach of the American entry in the 2015 Winter World University Games.
Wright is the staff liaison for the Girls/Women’s Section that spearheads efforts to increase female membership, leadership, and visibility. In 2020, Wright established the annual female leadership summit hosted by USA Hockey. She also oversees the Girls National Player Development Camps and sits on committees that support the National Championships, Officiating, and the NHL Female Advisory Committee. Wright is also the general manager for the U.S. U18 Women’s National team.
Emily West joined USA Hockey in 2017 as its American Development Model manager for female hockey. In that role, she works with local hockey associations and programs nationwide to support age-appropriate training, competition and long-term athlete development.
Prior to joining the USA Hockey staff, West worked at a multi-sport training facility and also coached hockey at various levels from youth and girls through high school. In 2017, she completed hockey director training at the North American Rink Conference and Expo in Columbus, Ohio.
West’s extensive hockey-playing background includes participation in multiple USA Hockey National Player Development Camps before enrolling at the University of Minnesota, where she was a two-time captain of the Golden Gophers women’s hockey team and a Patty Kazmaier Award nominee in 2010.
While at Minnesota, West helped the Gophers win two conference titles and an NCAA Division I national championship in 2012, finishing her playing career with 158 points. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and environment, while also helping coach high school hockey.
Aaron Westendorf is serving as the communications lead for the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team for a second consecutive season. Westendorf joined USA Hockey in October, 2019 as director of communications. Westendorf leads communications efforts for USA Hockey’s youth and junior hockey programs and also the U.S. National Junior Team.
Westendorf's background includes serving as the director of communications for the United States Hockey League for three seasons, where he oversaw communications strategy for the league and its member clubs. After being promoted from digital media manager, Westendorf was responsible for all league communications initiatives and properties including coverage at USHL Fall Classic, USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and Clark Cup Playoffs. The league underwent substantial media growth during his tenure that included the creation of the “Who’s Next” campaign, rebranding of the league’s logo, as well as the creation of a media guide and record book dating back to the league’s inaugural 1979-80 season.
Westendorf also served two seasons with the Texas Stars of the AHL where he worked as marketing and game operations associate, including during the team’s Calder Cup championship season in 2013-14.
A graduate of Ohio University, Westendorf earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the E.W. Scripps College of Journalism. Westendorf and his wife, Erin, currently reside in Divide, Colo.
Walkland makes her debut as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team this season. She recently finished her second campaign as an assistant coach for the Colgate University women’s hockey team and helped guide the Red Raiders to two winning seasons.
Walkland spent the five seasons prior to arriving at Colgate in a similar capacity at her alma mater, Robert Morris, where she helped the Colonials to three College Hockey America regular-season titles. Walkland began her collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach with Rochester Institute of Technology in 2011-12, a season that included a 28-1-1 record and an NCAA Division III national championship. She then served for two seasons (2012-14) as an assistant coach at the State University of New York at Oswego.
Walkland skated for the Robert Morris University Colonials for four seasons (2006-10) and served as assistant captain her junior and senior season.
Walkland has previous experience with USA Hockey having been involved with the organization’s various player development camps since 2012.
Nick Walters is currently serving as the video coach for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team after previously serving in the same capacity during the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship.
Prior, Walters spent five seasons on the staff of the University of Alaska Anchorage men's hockey coaching staff as both an assistant coach and director of operations. He also spent three season as a volunteer, assisting UAA with statistics and video operations.
Anthony Walsh is serving as an assistant coach of the U.S Under-17 Men’s Select Team for the first time in 2023.
Walsh recently wrapped up his first season at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program where he served as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Under-17 Team in 2022-23.
The Burr Ridge, Ill., native was an assistant coach for the U.S Under-18 National Team that won gold at the 2023 Under-18 IIHF World Championship.
He came to the NTDP after spending the 2021-22 campaign as an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at Fredonia State University, where he started his coaching career. A 2019 graduate of Yale University, Wash spent the 2019-2020 season with the Bulldogs for as the program’s director of hockey operations and also worked as a skills coach for Connecticut youth hockey programs.
As a player, Walsh skated four seasons (2015-2019) at Yale University, where he was named captain of the Bulldogs for his senior season. He recorded 24 points (9G-15A) in 104 career games and was awarded the Malcolm G. Chace Award, given to the member of the Yale men’s ice hockey team who, “through sportsmanship, spirit, and ability, has best served the finest traditions of Yale hockey.”
Before playing collegiately, Walsh suited up in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers (2012-2015) and Sioux City Musketeers (2015), appearing in 114 games between the regular season and Clark Cup Playoffs.
Ryan Warsofsky, in his first season as an assistant for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, is serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team for the first time.
Prior to joining the Sharks, Warsofsky was the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for two seasons (2020-22), where, in 2022, at age 34, he became the youngest coach since Peter Laviolette in 1999 to guide a team to the Calder Cup. He also spent two seasons with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, one as an assistant (2018-19) and one as head coach (2019-20). In 2019, he helped guide the Checkers to a Calder Cup.
Warsofsky’s coaching career began in 2012-13 with his alma mater NCAA Division III Curry College as an assistant after two seasons with the team as a player. He then joined the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays in 2013, serving as an assistant for three seasons before being promoted to head coach and director of hockey operations for his final two seasons (2016-18).
Troy Ward is serving on the player personnel staff for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team for the first time in 2023.
Ward, who brings nearly 40 years of coaching experience, is set to start his first season as the associate head coach at Minnesota State University this year, having spent the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers.
Before his time in Sioux City, Ward spent three years with the Vancouver Canucks (2019-22) as an amateur scout after two as the head coach of the Steinbach Black Wings Linz in Austria (2017-19).
Additionally, the Saint Paul, Minnesota, native, spent time behind the bench as both a head and assistant coach around the NHL, AHL, NCAA, USHL, IHL, WHL and ECHL, including with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Houston Aeros, and University of Wisconsin.
Alex Westlund, who just completed his second season as the goaltending coach of the Detroit Red Wings, is making his first appearance on the coaching staff of a U.S. Men’s National Team.
As a player, Westlund helped the U.S. earn a bronze medal at the 2004 IIHF Men’s World Championship and also to the championship of the 2003 Deutschland Cup.
Prior to his time in Detroit, Westlund spent five seasons in the Washington Capitals' organization, serving as associate goaltending coach with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears.
He joined the Capitals' organization after spending two years in Germany as the goalie coach with Augsburger in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga from 2015-17, in addition to working in the same capacity for Medvescak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League during the 2016-17 season.
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Westlund appeared in more than 750 professional games in North America, Europe and Asia over the course of 16 seasons (1999-2015).He played collegiately at Yale University from 1995-99 and is the program's all-time leader in games played (99) and saves (2,704).
