DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji spoke with former Red Wings assistant coach Adam Nightingale regarding his decision to leave the Wings and join the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he’ll coach the Under-17 team:
“I want to be a head coach and I have been before, just a chance to do it again,” Nightingale said in a recent phone interview. “I think this age is really unique from, not just hockey, but the whole off-the-ice as well, it’s an opportunity to make an impact. I remember moving away from home, there’s a lot of change, a different school, you’re living in a different home, you’ve got totally new teammates. It’s just a different environment so to try to help mentor that age, I think, is something I really have a passion for, and then I think just representing our country with USA Hockey.
“I’ve been fortunate to do four IIHF events and it’s something I was proud of as a player, playing youth hockey, USA Hockey, and then it also helped me in my coaching career. Different doors have opened and I really believe just some of the opportunities I’ve been given from USA Hockey so the chance to give back and be part of USA Hockey was probably the third reason.”
