CALGARY, Alberta – Brent Sutter wasn't out of work for long.
The former Calgary Flames coach was hired as Canada's head coach for the world hockey championships on Friday, a day after parting ways with the NHL team.
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher, and Kirk Muller, coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, will be Sutter's assistants.
"This is a coaching staff that has a great deal of professional and international experience," Team Canada general manager Kevin Lowe said in a statement. "Brent, Guy and Kirk are all looking forward to working with the 17 players we have named and leading this group to success in Helsinki."
Flames GM Jay Feaster announced on Thursday that Sutter and the NHL club agreed to not renew his contract when it expired at the end of June. Calgary narrowly missed the playoffs in all three seasons under Sutter, compiling a 118-90-38 record overall.
Sutter will now turn his attention to the international tournament May 4-20 in Helsinki and Stockholm. Canada will play all its games in Helsinki, and opens against Slovakia on May 4.
Sutter has coached Canada in international competition before, leading the country to a gold medal at the 2005 and 2006 world juniors. He also led Canada to a 7-0-1 record at the 2006 Canada-Russia Super Series, which featured both countries' national junior programs.
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