Michigan State University Athletics
DeMichiel, Morlock Named to U.S. National Junior Team Coaching Staff
6/25/2026 12:48:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State hockey Associate Head Coach Jared DeMichiel and Director of Athletic Performance Will Morlock were named to Head Coach Adam Nightingale's U.S. National Junior Team coaching staff in advance of the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championships on Thursday afternoon. The 51st IIHF World Junior Championships take place December 26 through January 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
DeMichiel will make his Team USA coaching debut on Nightingale's staff this winter. The Avon, Connecticut native arrived in East Lansing in 2022 and has helped lead MSU to a program resurgence with three-consecutive Big Ten Regular season titles (2024, 2025, 2026) and two Big Ten tournament titles (2024, 2025). DeMichiel oversees the development of Michigan State's goaltenders and defensemen, coaching U.S. National Junior Team standout Trey Augustine to a Mike Richter Award in 2026.
Morlock makes his fourth international appearance with USA Hockey in 2027, previously serving as a performance coach for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team, the 2024 U.S. Men's National Team and the 2023 U.S. National Junior Team. Prior to joining Michigan State as the director of athletic performance in 2022, Morlock served as the head of strength conditioning for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan.
Former Michigan State student-athlete Brent Darnell (2011-15) was also added to the staff as a video coach. Darnell skated in 137 career games for the Spartans, posting 25 goals, 32 assists and 57 points, earning the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award in 2015. Currently an assistant coach at Boston College, he previously served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team at the 2022 and 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championships.
DeMichiel will make his Team USA coaching debut on Nightingale's staff this winter. The Avon, Connecticut native arrived in East Lansing in 2022 and has helped lead MSU to a program resurgence with three-consecutive Big Ten Regular season titles (2024, 2025, 2026) and two Big Ten tournament titles (2024, 2025). DeMichiel oversees the development of Michigan State's goaltenders and defensemen, coaching U.S. National Junior Team standout Trey Augustine to a Mike Richter Award in 2026.
Morlock makes his fourth international appearance with USA Hockey in 2027, previously serving as a performance coach for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team, the 2024 U.S. Men's National Team and the 2023 U.S. National Junior Team. Prior to joining Michigan State as the director of athletic performance in 2022, Morlock served as the head of strength conditioning for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan.
Former Michigan State student-athlete Brent Darnell (2011-15) was also added to the staff as a video coach. Darnell skated in 137 career games for the Spartans, posting 25 goals, 32 assists and 57 points, earning the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award in 2015. Currently an assistant coach at Boston College, he previously served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team at the 2022 and 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championships.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Ice HockeyThursday, March 26
Wednesday, March 25
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Tuesday, March 10