Jackets' Hitchcock named coach for defending world champ Canada

TORONTO -- Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock will be behind the bench when Canada looks to become the first host country to win ice hockey's World Championship in two decades.

He has been unveiled as the Canadian coach for next month's event in Halifax and Quebec City. His assistants have yet to be announced.

"Ken's wealth of international experience should prove to be a tremendous asset to our team as we go forward towards what we hope will be a gold medal on home ice," said Steve Yzerman, the team's general manger.

Hitchcock comes with an impressive international resume.

He was an associate coach with Canada's Olympic teams in 2002 and 2006 and at the NHL-run 2004 World Cup. He also served as an assistant coach at the 2002 World Championship along with the 1988 Junior World Championship.

This assignment will be a little different.

Canada is hosting the event for the first time and is trying to become the first team since Russia in 1986 to win gold on home ice.

Yzerman is Canada's GM for a second straight year and is hoping to build a team that can repeat last year's performance -- Canada went 9-0 in Moscow last spring and won the gold medal. Andy Murray coached that squad.

Hitchcock's Blue Jackets already have been eliminated from NHL playoff contention and finish their season Sunday afternoon with a game against Murray's St. Louis Blues.

Canada opens training camp in Quebec City on April 24 and plays its first world championship game May 2 in Halifax.

Hitchcock has spent the past 12 years as an NHL head coach with Dallas, Philadelphia and Columbus. He won the Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999.