COLORADO SPRINGS, United States – John Tortorella, the current head coach of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, was named head coach of the 2008 U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2008 IIHF World Championship.

Tortorella will lead the team at the World Championship in Quebec City and Halifax, Canada, from May 2-18. “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 has had a lot of success in his career, including winning the Stanley Cup, and knows what it takes to win at the highest level.”

The 49-year-old has already served as an assistant coach at the 2005 World Championship in Austria. Earlier this season, Tortorella became the all-time winningest American-born coach in NHL history.

“I’m honoured to be selected,” said Tortorella. “It truly is an honour to represent our country and I look forward to the opportunity.”

Tortorella led Tampa Bay to four consecutive playoff qualifications including the 2004 Stanley Cup win. However, this season the Florida-based team is the last-ranked in the Eastern Conference and is out of the playoffs.

The players for the team as well as additional staff members will be named in the coming weeks. Team USA will hold a training camp April 24-30 in Portland, Maine, including a pre-tournament game against Sweden on April 27 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.