Colliton replaces Julien as head coach for Canada's men's Olympic team

Former Chicago Blackhawks bench boss Jeremy Colliton took over as head coach of Canada's men's Olympic team, Hockey Canada announced Sunday.

Claude Julien, who was initially named head coach earlier in January, is no longer able to travel due to injury. The 61-year-old slipped on the ice during a team-building activity at training camp in Switzerland and fractured his ribs.

The medical staff deemed him unfit to fly to Beijing.

"While it is difficult to fill in for a coach that has a pedigree like Claude Julien, I am honored to be considered as the person to lead Canada's men's Olympic team as head coach," Colliton said.

"We have a very close-knit, experienced coaching staff that has gained a lot of knowledge from Claude in our short time together, and I know our staff will continue to support each other as we look to achieve our goal of winning an Olympic gold medal."

Colliton, 37, was originally tabbed as an assistant coach for the 2022 Beijing Games after the Blackhawks fired him as head coach earlier this season. He has an NHL coaching record of 87-92-26.

As a player, Colliton won gold medals for Canada at the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championship and 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"We are fortunate to have an experienced coaching staff, and Jeremy is a talented, young coach with a long career ahead of him," Team Canada general manager Shane Doan said. "We know he will do an exceptional job leading our team behind the bench in Beijing."

Doan added that Julien is in "great spirits."

The former Montreal Canadiens head coach will have to remain in Switzerland for another two-to-three weeks, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Canada's men's team will kick off its Olympic competition in a preliminary-round clash against Germany on Feb. 10.