Hockey Canada officially announced their World Championship coaching staff on Wednesday. Dean Evason, Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, will be heading the team behind the bench, with Nashville Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette being named one of his assistants.
The two are familiar with each other from when Brunette served as Assistant General Manager with the Minnesota Wild, around the time Evason was brought in as an Assistant Coach himself.
Brunette will have a familiar face with him at Worlds, as Predators Ryan O'Reilly has already been named to the roster. The veteran center enjoyed a bounce-back season with Brunette in their first year together, in which he returned to near career-high production. Despite a challenging second year, the two will almost certainly be ready and glad to work together to bring some hardware home for Canada.
This event could be a lifeline for the Preds coach, as many around the NHL are debating whether he should return next season. With a strong performance at this event, perhaps General Manager Barry Trotz will continue to double down on "his guy" and keep him around.
Even though he won't be the only one with his hands on the wheel, if Andrew Brunette can help coach Canada to a deep run at the tournament, it will certainly help with his job security. Trotz always seeks "serial winners," as he calls them. A coach proving he can have international success would fit the bill.
Many eyes will already be on this team Canada, after a disappointing World Champs last year in Prague. The team finished fourth, failing to medal for the first time in four years after a Gold just the year before in the tournament.
After potentially reminding the hockey world of their international power at the Four Nations Face-off recently, Team Canada will look to cement their status as number one again at this event.