Christiansen steps up as GB Head Coach
Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) today announced Doug Christiansen as the successor to Tony Hand as the new head coach of the Great Britain senior men’s national side.
Christiansen will combine the role, having been GB assistant since 2012with his new job as coach of Elite League side Sheffield Steelers.
He was born in Milwaukee, USA and played in both the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League in North America.
The former forward also had a spell in Italy and first arrived in the UK as player-coach of Edinburgh Capitals in 2007-08.
In his third year in Scotland, he was named as Coach of the Year by the ice hockey journalists, before moving to Belfast Giants.
He spent three seasons with the Giants, winning the Elite League title in 2011-12. Christiansen was again named as Coach of the Year – this time by journalists and in the official league awards voted for by the ten teams.
Christiansen linked up with the Steelers this summer and will take charge of his first game in September.
He said: “Being named GB coach is the biggest honour of my hockey career. I am absolutely thrilled by the appointment.
“I would like to thank Tony Hand for all of his efforts the last two seasons. I learned a lot from him and it was a privilege to work for him.
“Hockey in Great Britain is at a crossroads. It is my vision to help push GB forward building a world-class program.
“The IHUK board are excited about pushing the game forward and aspiring to be like Switzerland or Norway.
“Both nations that have created long-term strategic plans with tangible goals and realistic aspirations. Both have made an investment in the youth, while pushing the national team to new heights.
“Our goals will be high. Our intent is to set a path that can be followed from the age of 16 to the top. I am excited about what we can achieve.
“We know there will be bumps in the road and, at times, resistance but our ambition is to learn from Norway, Korea, Japan and Switzerland, so that we can improve our game and as a result see more kids playing the best game in the world.”
IHUK general secretary, Andy French, added: “Naming Doug as head coach of GB is exciting for British ice hockey.
“He is an exceptional coach and IHUK believe he is the man to take the national team forward.
“He works so hard in everything he does and we have already seen that first hand in his previous role as assistant.
“Doug has some great ideas on how to take the national program forward and can’t wait to get started.”
