Joel Johnson selected to coach US women's under-18 team

By AP
Published

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) Minnesota assistant Joel Johnson has been named the head coach of the U.S. women's Under-18 team for the 2017-18 season.

USA Hockey announced Johnson's appointment Wednesday.

Johnson's staff includes associate coach Maura Crowell and assistant coach Courtney Kennedy. Crowell is the head coach at Minnesota-Duluth. Kennedy is the associate head coach at Boston College.

Johnson has led Team USA to three consecutive gold medals in the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 World Championships. He just finished his 12th year as a Minnesota assistant coach and currently holds the title of associate head coach for the powerhouse Gophers.

The U.S. will compete in the women's U18 series against Canada on Aug. 17-20 in Lake Placid, New York. The IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship is expected to take place early next year.