John Wroblewski was named the head coach of the U.S. national women’s hockey team Tuesday after recent success guiding the men’s development program.
Wroblewski’s hiring is currently limited to coaching the American women at the world championships in Denmark in August. He replaces Joel Johnson, who is stepping down after one year as part of his commitment to coach the University of St. Thomas women’s program.
Wroblewski takes over an aging U.S. team that’s in transition after settling for silver medals following losses to Canada at both the Beijing Winter Games in February and the world championships last August. The Americans struggled in matching the Canadians’ speed and up-tempo style of play in losing four straight in international play over the past year.
Wroblewski has spent the past two seasons coaching the Los Angeles Kings‘ American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign. The Kings, one of the more talent-rich organizations after several years of high draft picks, advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, featuring players who had graduated from the Reign.
From Neenah, Wisconsin, the 41-year-old Wroblewski is best known for his four years at the national team development program.
From 2016 to 2020, he oversaw teams that produced 29 NHL draft picks, including 11 first-round selections led by Jack Hughes, who was chosen No. 1 by the New Jersey Devils in 2019. Hughes just finished his third season in the NHL, and was an All-Star for the first time.
Under Wroblewski, the NTDP enjoyed a 33-game winning streak in international play and made its first USHL conference final appearance in 2018.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.