32 year old assistant coach of the EHC Red Bull München assists Marco Sturm and Co. in Pyeongchang
Matt McIlvane will strengthen the coaching team of the German national ice hockey team at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang (February 9th - 25th). The 32-year-old assistant coach of the EHC Red Bull München received a corresponding accreditation from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) at short notice and is thus taking the position in the coaching team that was vacated by Tobias Abstreiter's rejection.
National coach Marco Sturm: "We are delighted that we will be taking another coach with us to the Olympic Games in the form of Matt McIlvane. This means we can spread the extensive challenges that await us in South Korea across several shoulders. Matt is an excellent expert who will help us a lot with his expertise."
Sports director Stefan Schaidnagel: “Thanks go to both the EHC Red Bull München for the release of his assistant trainer and especially to the DOSB, with whom we were able to find a short-term and unbureaucratic solution. This once again demonstrates the very good cooperation between the respective associations.”
Matt McIlvane: “It's an incredible honor to be able to be part of the national team and then the Olympics. I already know some of them and am looking forward to getting to know the new faces. I already think it’s a very special group.”
The native American and former professional (among others Eisbären Berlin) has been working at since 2014 EHC Red Bull München as assistant coach to Don Jackson and won the DEL championship with the team in the last two years. McIlvane is expected at the national team meeting point this Saturday.