Former Isles’ Coach Capuano To Coach USA Men’s National Team

Needless to say, I'm happy for Cappy.

In a tweet earlier today, USA Hockey announced that former New York Islanders head coach, Jack Capuano, will serve as the head coach of Team USA in the 2021 IIHF World Championships in Riga, Latvia. This is the fourth time that Capuano has been involved with Team USA as a coach, having last served as an assistant coach with Team USA at the same tournament in 2017.

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Capuano currently works as an associate coach on D.J. Smith's staff with the Ottawa Senators, a job he has had since the beginning of the 2019-20 season. That said, Capuano is best-known for his stint with the New York Islanders organization, working with the club from 2005 through 2017. He began as an assistant coach with the NHL club, before working as both an assistant and head coach with their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. He re-joined the big club in 2010 as an interim head coach, before retaining the role full-time beginning in 2011. He was relieved of his duties by the team in 2017.

Capuano ranks second all-time on the wins list for New York Islanders head coaches, trailing only the legendary, Al Arbour. He also ranks second in total games coached, again behind Arbour, and brought the team to their first playoff appearance in six years in 2013.

Team USA also announced the staff that will surround Capuano for this year's tournament:

Capuano will be joined by assistant coaches Nate Leaman (Providence, R.I./Providence College) and Adam Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich./NTDP). In addition Kevin Reiter (Pittsburgh, Penn./NTDP) will serve as goaltending coach and Mike King (Center Conway, N.H./Ottawa Senators) as video coach.

The 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship will take place May 21-June 6 in Riga, Latvia. All USA games will be broadcasted live on NHL Network, as the United States looks to win its first gold medal in the tournament since 1960.