Tampa Bay's Tortorella Named Coach Of U.S. Men's National Team

Tampa, FL (AHN) - John Tortorella's job status as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning may be in serious jeopardy, but he will be able to add something impressive to his resume this summer.

The seven-year Lightning coach will be behind the bench to guide the 2008 U.S. Men's National Team, USA Hockey announced on Friday.

The move is a major honor for Tortorella, though he probably wishes his team were still battling for a playoff spot in the upcoming NHL postseason.

Instead, he will prepare a team to play at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship May 2-18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

"I'm honored to be selected," said Tortorella, the all-time winningest American-born coach in NHL history. "It truly is an honor to represent our country and I look forward to the opportunity."

Tortorella has plenty of experience and has garnered plenty of respect around the league for leading the upstart Lightning to the Stanley Cup championship in 2003-04.

Tortorella began his coaching career in Phoenix over a decade ago before moving on to the New York Rangers.

Although many thought he would be hired for the coaching gig in Manhattan, Tortorella had to turn to Tampa for his first full season behind the bench in 2000-01.

"We're certainly pleased to have someone with John Tortorella's credentials coaching our world championship team," said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey. "He's had a lot of success in his career, including winning the Stanley Cup, and knows what it takes to win at the highest level."