Mercyhurst assistant coach Greg Gardner has been named a Maccabi USA head coach for the Maccabiah Games that will take place July 2017 in Israel.
Gardner played in the event for Team Canada in 1997.
With 10 NCAA seasons of coaching behind him, Gardner aims to become the first head coach of Maccabi USA’s Open Men’s hockey team to capture gold at the games.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to lead the US Open Hockey team at the 20th World Maccabiah Games,” said Gardner in a statement. “It will be a great opportunity and experience in Israel. Hopefully, we can lead this group to become the first team to win a gold medal. I am very thankful to [Mercyhurst coach] Rick Gotkin for allowing me to coach in the 2017 Games.”
Gardner just wrapped up his second season as the Lakers’ assistant coach and has previously served as an assistant at his alma mater, Niagara, and Princeton.
St. Michaels assistant coach Casey Fratkin will serve as an assistant coach for Team USA.
The Maccabiah Games event is the world’s largest Jewish athletic competition that takes place every four years in Israel.
