The North American Youngstars Team for the 2016 return of the World Cup of Hockey announced the team’s management squad during the league’s announcement event on Wednesday. It was also revealed that they’ve rebranded the Youngstars as Team North America.
Steering the ship for the Team North America will be co-GMs Stan Bowman of the Chicago Blackhawks and Peter Chiarelli of the Edmonton Oilers. Many had predicted that with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada working together for Team North America that there would be a GM from the U.S. and a GM from Canada, but the team will be helmed by two Canadians.
With two Canadian GMs, it seems likely that USA Hockey will be making a case to get an American coach or some American management in there by the next announcement.
Another wrinkle that was a part of today’s announcements for Team North America is that the squad will include players who are 23 years old as of October 1, 2016 instead of the previously announced September 15, 2016.
War on Ice notes that the only player this slight shift effects is that the Los Angeles Kings’ Nick Shore is no longer eligible to play for Team North America.
Rosters for all teams will be announced in March 2016 and the tournament will begin on September 17, 2016.
