Sather To Coach Canada

Glen Sather, named head coach of Canada’s entry in the hockey World Cup, says he’ll be loaded with NHL stars when the tournament begins in August.

Sather’s first public task as coach was to deny whispers that Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux and Boston goaltender Bill Ranford were going to withdraw from the team.

“The only player that hasn’t committed to it is (Boston defenseman) Ray Bourque, and we knew about that two months ago,” said Sather, 52, who is also the team’s general manager. “Other than that, I expect everyone else to be there.”

Sather said one player will be added to the roster.

The team is reported to be considering either defensemen Sylvain Lefebvre or Adam Foote of the Colorado Avalanche.

Sather, president and general manager of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, last coached internationally for Canada at the 1984 Canada Cup. He was the general manager of Canada’s gold-medal-winning team at the 1994 world championship.

Sather will be reunited with four players from Edmonton’s glory days: defenseman Paul Coffey, forwards Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky and Ranford.