Claude Julien selected to coach for Team Canada in the Olympics.
Jun 22, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien talks with referee Chris Rooney (5) during the second period in game five of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Claude Julien has done wonders for the Boston Bruins organization. Since he was hired to be the 28th head coach for the Bruins, he has taken the B’s to the playoffs every year for the last seven seasons. He has been one of the driving forces to turn an original six team into a perennial contender for the Stanley Cup. Now, we’ll get to see Claude Julien get a chance to work his magic in Sochi. Julien has been selected to be one of the assistant coaches for Team Canada in the 2014 Olympics.
Julien brings his commitment to two-way, defensive minded hockey. That experience will no doubt keep the Canadian squad to be a dangerous team on the ice. Team Canada will be getting an awful lot of NHL experience with their current coaching crew. Julien will be back-benching with Lindy Ruff(head coach, Dallas Stars), and Ken Hitchcock (head coach, St.Louis Blues). Team Canada’s head coach will be Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings. The coaching staff looks very similar to the Canadian squad that brought home the gold in Vancouver back in 2010.
Team Canada will be one of the teams opening the hockey event in the Olympics when it takes on Team Norway on February 13, 2014. They’ll be part of the ‘B’ bracket, along with Austria and Finland. With such depth for Canada in every position, they’re likely to be the favorites for gold again this Olympics. With Julien’s selection I figure the odds of several Canadians who are members of the Bruins organization getting an invite will increase. Let’s just take it as a given that Patrice Bergeron is getting the nod to play for Canada. Milan Lucic I put down as a possible, and I’d put down Brad Marchand and Jarome Iginla as long shots, but possible.