John Tortorella to coach Team USA at 2016 World Cup of Hockey

John Tortorella is back behind the bench coaching a hockey team. Only this time, he's coaching for his country.

Monday, Tortorella was named the head coach of the United States for next year's World Cup of Hockey tournament in Toronto.

"There's no greater honor than to represent your country and I'm humbled to have this opportunity," Tortorella said in a statement released by USA Hockey. "We'll have one objective and that will be to bring the World Cup championship back to the United States."

Dean Lombardi, the president and general manager of the Los Angreles Kings and the G.M. for Team USA said of hiring Tortorella: "We're excited to have John as head coach of our World Cup team. He knows what it takes to win at the highest level and I know that our entire management group looks forward to working with him and his staff."

Bypassed for Dan Bylsma to coach the Americans at the 2014 Olympics, Tortorella, who is currently not coaching in the NHL, was selected for the job to coach Team USA at the World Cup, which is scheduled for Sept. 17 to Oct. 1, 2016 and will have eight teams (USA, Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Team Europe (for countries not included) and Team North America (made up of Canadian and American prospects).

Tortorella, 57, has a career record of 446-375-78 with 37 ties and guided the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2004. He was also the Jack Adams Award winner that year, which goes to the NHL's Coach of the Year. His 446 wins is currently the most of any U.S.-born NHL coach (Nashville's Peter Laviolette has 436 wins).

Tortorella also coached the New York Rangers from 2009 to 2013 before being fired following the 2013 season. He was quickly hired by the Vancouver Canucks but his tenure lasted just one season. He was let go after the Canucks missed the postseason. His brief reign included a 15-day suspension from the NHL for a run-in with Calgary coach Bob Hartley between periods on Jan. 18, 2014.

Tortorella, a native of Boston who played collegiately at Maine, has been known to be outspoken and his news conferences following games have been contentious at times.

The roster for Team USA isn't expected to be announced until next summer. Las Vegas' Jason Zucker, who is a forward with the Minnesota Wild, could be a candidate for the American squad.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.