He's back

Sharks' Wilson named head coach of USA team for World Cup of Hockey

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Ticker) -- San Jose Sharks coach Ron Wilson on Friday was named by USA Hockey to lead the American team that will compete in the World Cup of Hockey 2004 this summer.

Wilson, the architect of the championship team that won the inaugural World Cup in 1996 and the coach of the fifth-place squad at the 1998 Winter Olympics, has been the Sharks' coach since December 2002.

"Ron is a coach who has had success at all levels during his coaching career and his record speaks for itself," Team USA general manager Larry Pleau said. "We have always been impressed with his professionalism and the astute level of preparation he brings to the coaching position."

Wilson guided the U.S. to a 6-1-0 record in the 1996 World Cup, which also featured elite players from Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia and Sweden. The Americans claimed the championship by defeating Canada, 5-2, in the decisive game of the best-of-three final in Montreal.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to defend the United States' title during a tournament as prestigious as the World Cup of Hockey, which features the best players our sport has to offer," Wilson said. "I look forward to working with USA Hockey to assemble another potential championship team."

The World Cup will be held from Aug. 30-Sept. 14 at seven sites, including St. Paul. Russia and Slovakia will join the U.S. and Canada in the North American Pool, while the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden and Germany will make up the European Pool.

Team USA will hold its 10-day training camp in Columbus, Ohio from Aug. 20-30.

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