Thursday, August 13, 2009

Gosselin joins USA Hockey

Press Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Guy Gosselin, a two-time U.S. Olympian and member of three U.S. Men's National Teams, has been named a regional manager of USA Hockey's American Development Model, it was announced today by USA Hockey.

"Guy is another strong addition to our staff of regional managers," said Ken Martel, director of USA Hockey's American Development Model. "He brings a unique perspective to our staff in that he's served as the general manager of an ice facility, in addition to having coached at the collegiate and youth levels."

The American Development Model, with support from the National Hockey League, is a nationwide initiative that was announced by USA Hockey in January. It will provide local associations across the country - for the first time ever - a blueprint for optimal athlete development that focuses on age-appropriate training utilizing long-term athlete development principles.

"Guy's enthusiasm and love for the game, as well as the experiences he's had at many levels, make him an absolutely fantastic choice to help launch this exciting new initiative," said Mike Eaves, head men's ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin and a former head coach at USA Hockey's National Team Develoment Program.

Gosselin skated for Team USA at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Winter Games and served as one of the team's alternate captains during the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France. The defenseman played for the U.S. Men's National Team at three (1986, 1990, 1991) International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championships and helped lead Team USA to a fourth-place finish in 1991.

Since 1996, Gosselin has served as the general manager of the Ozaukee Ice Center in Mequon, Wis., and is responsible for overseeing all operations, business development and sales. He also serves as the arena's youth hockey and camp director. The Ozaukee Ice Center is home to the NCAA Division III Concordia University Wisconsin men's and women's ice hockey teams, programs Gosselin helped found, and also the local youth hockey program. The arena has also hosted several youth hockey state championships and high school regional games.

Within the youth hockey program, Gosselin implements on- and off-ice programs that emphasize total body awareness, nutrition, strength, physical fitness, ethics, team play and education.

Gosselin played professionally for parts of six seasons, including a five-game stint with the NHL's Winnipeg Jets following the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. In North America, Gosselin skated two seasons (1988-90) with the Moncton Hawks of the American Hockey League and finished his career with the International Hockey League's Kansas City Blades in 1993-94. He also skated in Sweden for two seasons (1990-91, 1992-93) with Skellftea AIK.

Gosselin played parts of five seasons (1982-87) with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's University of Minnesota Duluth men's ice hockey team and helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back (1984, 1985) Frozen Four appearances and WCHA championships. As captain his senior season (1986-87), he garnered All-WCHA Second Team and team most valuable player honors.

He has coached at several USA Hockey Select Player Development Camps and participated in the National Olympic Festival in 1985 and U.S. Olympic Festivals in 1986 and 1987.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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