University of St. Thomas Athletics
Joel Johnson to coach U.S. Olympic Team for Women's Hockey
7/28/2021 7:57:00 AM | Women's Hockey
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USA Hockey news release
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USA Hockey announced Wednesday that St. Thomas' Joel Johnson has been appointed to serve as head coach for the U.S. Women's Hockey Olympics team for the 2022 Winter Games set for Beijing, China.
Johnson, who has more than 20 years coaching experience on the ice, was hired in June to direct the Tommies' women's hockey program as they start play in 2021-22 in NCAA Division I as members of the WCHA Women's Hockey conference.
Johnson has been serving as the Interim Head Coach of USA Hockey's Women's National Team. He has spent the last 11 seasons with USA Hockey, serving in many capacities. Most recently, Johnson was the assistant coach for the Women's National Team from 2018 to 2020 and was a key member of teams that won gold medals at the 2018 Four Nations Cup and the 2019 IIHF World Championships. Additionally, he was head coach of numerous U22 and U18 National Teams from 2014 to 2018.
"It is an incredible honor to be given this opportunity as it simply doesn't get any more special as an athlete or a coach than to represent your country at the highest level," Johnson said. "I'm very humbled and consider it a privilege to work with what I know will be a tremendous group of athletes and staff as we prepare for Beijing 2022."
USA Hockey also named two others as head coaches for the 2022 Olympic Teams -- Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sulllivan for men's hockey and David Hoff as its head coach for the Paralympics team.
"We're thrilled with the head coaches that will guide our teams at the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics," said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. "We've said all along that our objective is to bring home three gold medals, and with the experience and leadership possessed by Mike, Joel and David, we know our teams are in good hands."
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The 2022 Winter Games run Feb. 4-20, while the Paralympics Games will be contested in Beijing from March 4-13.
Johnson will coach the U.S. National Team in Calgary, Alberta from August 20-31 as it competes in the IIHF women's world championships. That team roster was recently announced.
Deep Resume
Johnson's collegiate experience includes time at both the Division I and Division III levels. He has spent the last 11 seasons at the University of Minnesota as Associate Head Coach for the women's program. Johnson was also an assistant coach for the Gophers for five seasons from 1999 to 2004 before spending time with the Bethel University men's program from 2004 to 2010.
While coaching at Minnesota, Johnson helped guide the Gophers to six national titles and 11 Frozen Fours. Primarily responsible for the defense, Johnson has coached six WCHA Defensive Players of the Year, as well as the 2018 Player of the Year. Combined, he worked with 12 All-Americans during his time at Minnesota. His defenses there were regarded among the best in the country.
During his time with the Bethel men's program, Johnson led the Royals to some of their best seasons in program history. He was on the bench for Bethel's only MIAC championship and lone NCAA playoff appearance, and is the only Royal men's hockey head coach to post a winning record throughout his tenure at the helm, which spanned three seasons. Johnson also spent time coaching men's and women's golf, as well as men's and women's soccer at Bethel.
The Minnesota native graduated from Bethel in 1996 with a degree in Physical Education and minors in Health Education and Coaching, A multi-year performer and three-sport athlete for the Royals in soccer, hockey and baseball, Johnson served as a captain; won all-conference and all-region awards; along with team MVP and Most Inspirational. As a soccer player, he finished his career ranked second in assists (21) and fifth in points (43). He also ranked among the school's top 10 in career hits, runs and RBIs in baseball, batting .350 for his career. Johnson scored 40 points from the blue line in two season of hockey before a back injury curtailed his career.
USA Hockey news release
--
USA Hockey announced Wednesday that St. Thomas' Joel Johnson has been appointed to serve as head coach for the U.S. Women's Hockey Olympics team for the 2022 Winter Games set for Beijing, China.
Johnson, who has more than 20 years coaching experience on the ice, was hired in June to direct the Tommies' women's hockey program as they start play in 2021-22 in NCAA Division I as members of the WCHA Women's Hockey conference.
Johnson has been serving as the Interim Head Coach of USA Hockey's Women's National Team. He has spent the last 11 seasons with USA Hockey, serving in many capacities. Most recently, Johnson was the assistant coach for the Women's National Team from 2018 to 2020 and was a key member of teams that won gold medals at the 2018 Four Nations Cup and the 2019 IIHF World Championships. Additionally, he was head coach of numerous U22 and U18 National Teams from 2014 to 2018.
"It is an incredible honor to be given this opportunity as it simply doesn't get any more special as an athlete or a coach than to represent your country at the highest level," Johnson said. "I'm very humbled and consider it a privilege to work with what I know will be a tremendous group of athletes and staff as we prepare for Beijing 2022."
USA Hockey also named two others as head coaches for the 2022 Olympic Teams -- Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sulllivan for men's hockey and David Hoff as its head coach for the Paralympics team.
"We're thrilled with the head coaches that will guide our teams at the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics," said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. "We've said all along that our objective is to bring home three gold medals, and with the experience and leadership possessed by Mike, Joel and David, we know our teams are in good hands."
,
The 2022 Winter Games run Feb. 4-20, while the Paralympics Games will be contested in Beijing from March 4-13.
Johnson will coach the U.S. National Team in Calgary, Alberta from August 20-31 as it competes in the IIHF women's world championships. That team roster was recently announced.
Deep Resume
Johnson's collegiate experience includes time at both the Division I and Division III levels. He has spent the last 11 seasons at the University of Minnesota as Associate Head Coach for the women's program. Johnson was also an assistant coach for the Gophers for five seasons from 1999 to 2004 before spending time with the Bethel University men's program from 2004 to 2010.
While coaching at Minnesota, Johnson helped guide the Gophers to six national titles and 11 Frozen Fours. Primarily responsible for the defense, Johnson has coached six WCHA Defensive Players of the Year, as well as the 2018 Player of the Year. Combined, he worked with 12 All-Americans during his time at Minnesota. His defenses there were regarded among the best in the country.
During his time with the Bethel men's program, Johnson led the Royals to some of their best seasons in program history. He was on the bench for Bethel's only MIAC championship and lone NCAA playoff appearance, and is the only Royal men's hockey head coach to post a winning record throughout his tenure at the helm, which spanned three seasons. Johnson also spent time coaching men's and women's golf, as well as men's and women's soccer at Bethel.
The Minnesota native graduated from Bethel in 1996 with a degree in Physical Education and minors in Health Education and Coaching, A multi-year performer and three-sport athlete for the Royals in soccer, hockey and baseball, Johnson served as a captain; won all-conference and all-region awards; along with team MVP and Most Inspirational. As a soccer player, he finished his career ranked second in assists (21) and fifth in points (43). He also ranked among the school's top 10 in career hits, runs and RBIs in baseball, batting .350 for his career. Johnson scored 40 points from the blue line in two season of hockey before a back injury curtailed his career.
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