COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Trine men's hockey coach Alex Todd will coach some of the top young talent in the U.S. in the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament later this summer.
Todd will serve as an assistant coach for Team USA in the tournament, which features some of the world's best hockey players under the age of 17. In addition to the United States, the tournament features national teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland. The Five Nations Tournament will be held Aug. 9-13 at Dr. Pepper StarCenter Arena Frisco near Dallas, Texas.
The tournament provides an international stage for players selected at the USA Hockey Boys Select 16 Player Development Camp. The roster consists of 20 players who participated in the camp, which concluded yesterday. Former Team USA participants in the Five Nations Tournament include current NHL standouts Nick Bjugstad, Dustin Brown, Justin Faulk and Kyle Okposo.
Team USA won the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament last year. Team USA has won six championships in the tournament's eight years of existence. This year's tournament begins with a matchup against Switzerland on Aug. 9.
Todd will serve on a coaching staff that also includes head coach Cory Laylin (head coach, Hamline University), Matt Millar (Director of Hockey Operations and Goalie Coach, Dubuque Fighting Saints) and Scott Paluch (regional manager, USA Hockey).
Todd was named the first head coach of Trine's men's ice hockey team, set to begin play in 2017. His coaching pedigree includes head coaching experience at Castleton State University, as well as work as an assistant with University of Nebraska at Omaha and Utica College.
Todd was named Coach of the Year at Castleton State in 2007 and was Eastern College Athletic Conference East Coach of the Year in 2011. He also was named Rookie of the Year for the Fresno Falcons in 2002.
Trine University is expected to begin construction on the $7.2 million, 1,000-seat Thunder Ice Arena this summer. The arena, which will be located on U.S. 20, will include an NCAA-compliant ice rink, men's and women's locker rooms, concessions, a pro shop with wearables, sticks and skates for sale and a VIP lounge.
More information on the Thunder Ice Arena project can be found HERE.