Michigan State's Adam Nightingale Named U.S. National Junior Team Hockey Coach

Nightingale to lead Team USA in 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, green, and red representing the Michigan State Spartans and USA Hockey team colors, conceptually illustrating the coach's role in guiding the national team.Nightingale's selection to lead the U.S. National Junior Team reflects his success in rebuilding the Michigan State hockey program and his experience guiding American talent on the international stage.East Lansing Today

Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale has been named the head coach of the 2027 U.S. National Junior Team, USA Hockey announced. Nightingale, who just completed his fourth season leading the Spartans, will guide Team USA in the 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Why it matters

Nightingale's selection continues his rise as one of the top young coaches in college hockey, having led Michigan State to three straight Big Ten regular-season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in his four seasons. His international experience, including as an assistant for the 2025 U.S. men's national team that won gold, makes him an ideal choice to lead the next generation of American hockey talent.

The details

Nightingale, 39, will take over a U.S. National Junior Team that is looking to build on its recent success, including a silver medal finish in the 2026 tournament. As head coach, he will be responsible for selecting the roster, leading practices and strategy, and guiding the team through the high-pressure international competition.

  • Nightingale was named the U.S. National Junior Team head coach on April 8, 2026.
  • The 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship will take place from December 26, 2026 to January 5, 2027.

The players

Adam Nightingale

The 39-year-old is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans hockey team, leading them to three straight Big Ten regular-season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in his four seasons.

John Vanbiesbrouck

The general manager of the U.S. National Junior Team and assistant executive director of USA Hockey, who praised Nightingale's selection as an 'excellent' choice to guide the team.

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What they’re saying

“Adam is an excellent coach, and we are excited to have him guiding and helping build our team. He knows the player pool extremely well and has such a good handle on what it takes to win on the international stage.”

— John Vanbiesbrouck, General Manager, U.S. National Junior Team; Assistant Executive Director, USA Hockey

What’s next

Nightingale will now begin the process of selecting the 2027 U.S. National Junior Team roster, holding training camps, and preparing the squad for the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in late December 2026 and early January 2027.

The takeaway

Nightingale's appointment as U.S. National Junior Team head coach is a testament to his rising stature in the college hockey world, and an opportunity for him to showcase his coaching talents on the international stage while continuing to build Michigan State into a national powerhouse.