CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), has announced the coaching and support staffs for the 4 Nations Face-Off, set for Feb. 12-20 in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy (Ottawa, ON/Vegas, NHL), Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, ON/Dallas, NHL), Rick Tocchet (Scarborough, ON/Vancouver, NHL) and Misha Donskov (London, ON/Dallas, NHL), and video coach James Emery (Calgary, AB) have been named to the coaching staff alongside Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL), who was named head coach in June.

The coaching staff was selected by Cooper, general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), associate GM Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL), assistant GM Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations.

“I am excited to welcome Bruce, Peter, Misha, Rick and James to the coaching staff for the 4 Nations Face-Off, as this is a highly-skilled group of coaches that bring impressive accolades and experience at all levels of the game,” Cooper said. “I know our players will greatly benefit from this world-class coaching staff, and I look forward to working alongside all five and representing Canada in international competition in February.”

Cassidy has served as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for the past two seasons (2022-24), winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. He joined Vegas after more than five seasons (2018-22) as head coach of the Boston Bruins, leading the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019 and winning the Jack Adams Award in 2019-20. Cassidy also served one season (2016-17) as an assistant with Boston, as well as eight seasons (2008-16) as head coach of the AHL’s Providence Bruins. He was also the head coach of the Washington Capitals (2002-04), an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks (2005-06), head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs (2006-08) and head coach of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins in (2001-02), winning the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as AHL coach of the year. As a player, Cassidy represented Canada at the 1984 IIHF World Junior Championship and suited up for Canada’s National Men’s Team during the 1986-87 season.

DeBoer has been the head coach of the Dallas Stars for the past two seasons (2022-24) after more than two seasons as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights (2020-22). He has also served as head coach of the San Jose Sharks (2015-19), New Jersey Devils (2011-14) and Florida Panthers (2008-11), making two appearances in the Stanley Cup Final (2012, 2016). DeBoer also served as an assistant coach with the OHL’s Detroit Jr. Red Wings (1993-95), as well as GM and head coach of the Detroit Jr. Whalers (1995-97), Plymouth Whalers (1997-2001) and Kitchener Rangers (2001-08), winning the Memorial Cup in 2003. Internationally, he was an assistant coach at the 1998 and 2005 IIHF World Junior Championships, winning gold in 2005, and was an assistant at four IIHF World Championships (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), winning gold in 2015. He was also named an assistant with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but was unable to attend.

Tocchet is entering his second full season as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks after winning the Jack Adams Award in 2023-24. Previously, he spent three years as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2014-17), winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Tocchet has also served as head coach (2017-21) and assistant coach (2005-06) with the Arizona Coyotes, assistant (2008-09) and head coach (2009-10) of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche (2002-04). He played 1,144 NHL games over 18 seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 1992. He also won the Canada Cup twice (1987, 1991) and suited up for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 1990 IIHF World Championship.

Donskov is entering his second season as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars. Previously, he spent more than three years (2020-23) as an assistant coach and four (2016-20) as director of hockey operations with the Vegas Golden Knights, winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. He was also an assistant coach with the OHL’s London Knights (2009-12) and held the position of assistant general manager for one season (2011-12), winning an OHL championship in 2012. He also served as an associate coach with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s and video coach with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team before joining Hockey Canada in 2014 as manager of hockey operations, analytics and video, winning two IIHF World Championship gold medals – one as video coach (2015) and one as assistant coach (2016) - and a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship as video coach. He also won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey as an assistant coach and the 2019 Spengler Cup as director of hockey operations and assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Team.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s entry at the 4 Nations Face-Off includes:

• Athletic therapists Kent Kobelka (Revelstoke, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Domenic Nicoletta (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Ottawa, NHL)
• Massage therapist Andy Hüppi (Schmerikon, SUI)
• Team physician Dr. Ian Auld (Victoria, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Equipment managers John Forget (Oshawa, ON/Ottawa, NHL) and Darren Granger (Brandon, MB/Los Angeles, NHL)
• Hockey operations managers Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
• Media relations director Sean Kelso (Vancouver, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, ON)

“We believe we have assembled an elite group of coaches and support staff that will be key contributors to Team Canada’s success as we continue to prepare for international competition this season,” Sweeney said. “Each individual brings unique experience to our team that will prepare our players to be at their best, and we know everyone is excited for the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf with pride.”

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston.

Canada’s full roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off will be announced between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2. For more information, please visit the official tournament page.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.