Dave Gilbert will assist Team USA in Finland, Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

Dave Gilbert Named to 2016 US National Junior Team Staff

June 17, 2015

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – One of the best equipment men in the country will find himself among the best in the world this winter as 17th-year Notre Dame hockey equipment manager Dave Gilbert has been named to the staff for the 2016 U.S. National Junior Team which will represent the nation at the World Junior Championships, December 26, 2015 to January 5, 2016, in Helsinki, Finland.

The Irish have regularly been represented at the global showcase event by their student-athletes, most recently Thomas DiPauli and Vince Hinostroza in 2014. In all, 18 Irish skaters have represented the United States in the event while Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson lead Team USA at the World Juniors in 1996-00, guiding the Americans to a silver medal in 1996-1997 as the head coach.

Gilbert was a walk-on goaltender as Lake Superior State claimed the 1991-92 NCAA championship under Jackson and spent his remaining undergraduate years in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan working with the program as an equipment manager. Gilbert graduated from Lake Superior State in 1996 and remained at the school for two years before heading south to Notre Dame.

The 2016 U.S. Junior National Team will be guided by head coach Ron Wilson, the ninth-winningest coach in NHL history. The assistant coaching staff, also announced today, includes Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Chris Chelios, former NHL skater Danton Cole and goaltending coach Kevin Reiter.

The 2015-16 Notre Dame hockey season starts off with an exhibition game against the University of Guelph on Oct. 9 at the Compton Family Ice Arena with the regular season opener coming on Oct. 16 at Penn State.