USA Hockey announced today that Scott Sandelin, Tom Ward and Joe Exter will serve as assistant coaches for the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team.
The trio will join head coach Dean Blais behind the bench in leading Team USA at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2011 – Jan. 5, 2012, in Calgary and Edmonton.
Sandelin, head coach for the 2005 U.S. squad that finished fourth, just completed his 11th season with Minnesota-Duluth.
Ward recently completed his 12th season at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, having led the 18 & Under Midget team to the USA Hockey Youth Tier I 18 & Under national championship.
Prior to coaching at Shattuck, Ward served as an assistant coach for Minnesota and also played for the Gophers from 1982-1985.
Exter, a Merrimack alum, is in his fourth season as goaltending coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
