Albertan former NHL coach hired to coach Team Italy at Olympics
Former NHL coach Perry Pearn has been hired as one of the assistant coaches for team Italy after his contract was not renewed by the Japanese Hockey Federation.
Pearn has spent the last few years in Japan where he has been the head coach for the country's World Junior and International teams. Since his contract was not renewed, he has decided to go to Italy to help as an assistant coach for the World Championships and will be the head coach for the World Junior team.
Perry Pearn, who didn't have contract renewed by Japanese Hockey Federation even after excellent national team results, will now be working at world championship as Italy assistant coach He'll assist Mike Pelino, moving up with Mike Keenan out with medical condition for awhile.
Pearn spent over 20 years as an assistant coach in the NHL for 5 different teams including the Jets, Canucks, Rangers, Canadiens and Senators. Since leaving the NHL in 2016-17, Pearn have been working over seas in which he has spent some time in the KHL and Japan.
It will be interesting to see the impact a former NHL coach with the Italian program. As most people are aware, soccer is their national sport but it does not mean that hockey cannot grow as we have seen in recent years all over Europe in places like England, Scotland and France.
| POLL | ||
Do you think hockey will ever become big in Italy? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 13.8 % |
| No | 200 | 86.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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