PORTLAND – Portland Pirates head coach Tim Army will serve as an assistant coach for the United States’ entry in the World Cup of Hockey 2004. The United States is the defending champion, having beaten Canada two games to one the last time the event took place in 1996.

Army will be joining former boss Ron Wilson, who was named the head coach of the United States. Army served as Wilson’s assistant for five years with the Pirates’ NHL affiliate, the Washington Capitals, prior to taking over the Pirates’ head coaching job in 2002.