Phil Housley has been named head coach of the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team in an announcement made Monday by USA Hockey.
It is Housley’s first stint as the head coach of a U.S. National Team after serving as an assistant coach for the 2007 (bronze) and 2011 (bronze) U.S. National Junior Teams and the 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team.
Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki and Minnesota assistant coach Grant Potulny will serve as the assistant coaches under Housley.
“We’re extremely pleased to have Phil coach our National Junior Team,” said assistant executive director for hockey operations at USA Hockey and 2013 National Junior Team GM Jim Johannson in a news release. “Having both played and coached internationally, Phil understands what it takes to be successful in a short tournament. He’s also used to relating to players of this age group, which will certainly be beneficial.”
“I’m honored to be asked to coach this team and look forward to the challenge,” added Housley. “The depth of our player pool is as good as it has ever been and I’m sure it will be a challenge to settle on which players will represent our country in Ufa [Russia].”
In 2011-12, Housley completed his eighth season as the head coach of the Stillwater (Minn.) High School boys’ hockey team.
As a player, Housley had a remarkable career with Team USA, representing his country at 11 international tournaments. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2000 he was honored with USA Hockey’s Bob Johnson Award for excellence in international competition.
Housley spent 21 seasons in the NHL with Buffalo, Winnipeg, St. Louis, Calgary, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago and Toronto. He concluded his career with 1,232 points, the most by an American-born defenseman.
