The first World Cup of Hockey saw Team USA pull off its most memorable victory since the Miracle On Ice. Eight countries participated in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey from August 26 to September 14: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States. The tournament replaced the Canada Cup as the world's premier international hockey tournament. This white Team USA 1996 Brett Hull World Cup of Hockey jersey was signed by 38 different players, coaches, team staff and team executives _ all in blue Sharpie marker. Players: Tony Amonte, Jim Carey (signed twice), Keith Carney, Shawn Chambers, Chris Chelios, Adam Deadmarsh, Bill Guerin, Derian Hatcher, Kevin Hatcher, Guy Hebert, Phil Housley, Brett Hull, Steve Konowalchuk, Pat LaFontaine, John LeClair, Brian Leetch, Shawn McEachern, Mike Modano, Joel Otto, , Mike Richter, Brian Rolston, Mathieu Schneider, Bryan Smolinski, Gary Suter, Keith Tkachuk, Doug Weight, Scott Young. Coaches: Head Coach Ron Wilson, Assistant Coach John Cunniff, Assistant Coach Paul Holmgren, Assistant Coach Keith Allain. Executives: GM Lou Lamoriello, Assistant GM Jack Ferreira. Staff: Team Leader Brian Petrovek, Equipment Manager Bob Webster, Equipment Manager Chris Kinkaid, Medical Trainer Pete Demers, Public Relations Director Rick Minch. Wilson was the perfect coach for Team USA, understanding both his team's skill set and physicality. Brought in by Lamoriello, Wilson set the bar as high as possible for the squad, which began the tournament conscious of all contenders but focused on Canada. The United States was ruthless in front of goal in the tournament's pool stage, going undefeated in three games against Canada, Russia and Slovakia in the North American pool and scoring 19 goals in the process. Only Sweden equaled Team USA's pool stage goal differential of +11. Team USA defeated Russia, 5-2, in the Semifinals. Canada took the first game in the best-of-three Finals in overtime, 4-3, but Team USA posted sequential 5-2 victories to win its fourth and most recent international Gold Medal. Team USA previously won Gold at the 1933 and 1960 IHF World Championships and in the 1960 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
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