Hartsburg Assists USA at Five Nations Tourney
EVERETT – Everett Silvertips Assistant Coach Chris Hartsburg has been selected to join Team USA’s coaching staff for the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament next week in the Czech Republic. Hartsburg will serve as video coordinator for the American team, breaking down game film to assist Head Coach Barry Smith and Assistant Coach Pat Mikesch.
The 2012 Five Nations Tournament features top 1996-born players on teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States competing August 7-11 in the Czech cities of Chomutov, Kadan and Klasterec. Team USA flew to Europe Wednesday to prepare for an exhibition game against the Czechs on Sunday. They will then face each of the four other participating countries between Wednesday and Saturday of next week.
Hartsburg, who will enter his fourth year behind the Silvertips bench this fall, has been called upon by USA Hockey before. In each of the past three summers he has coached player development camps in Rochester, New York for both Select-15 and Select-16 age groups, familiarizing himself with many of the same players that will comprise Team USA’s roster in Five Nations Tournament. The camps provide top young players with concentrated on- and off-ice instruction and the opportunity to compete at the national level against other players from their age group.
“It’s definitely exciting to represent my country at an event like this,” Hartsburg said. “I’d like to thank USA Hockey for the opportunity and the Silvertips for helping me continue to grow as a coach. I’m very much looking forward to working with our Under 17 Select Team overseas, and hopefully we can bring back first-place finish.”
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