Ex-Olympian Bedard named coach of Canadian men’s short-track team

MONTREAL – Eric Bedard is the new coach of the Canadian men’s short-track speed skating team.

The Ste-Thecle, Que., native replaced Derrick Campbell, who left in June to become head coach of the Chinese national squad.

He will begin his new job at the national team training centre at the Maurice Richard Arena on Aug. 13.

Bedard won four medals in three Winter Olympics for Canada, including gold in the relay at the 1998 and 2002 Games. He retired from skating in 2006.

The 41-year-old coached Germany’s short track team at the Vancouver Games in 2010 and the Italian team at the Sochi Games in 2014, where his skaters won three medals.

He spent one year with the French national team before returning to Canada as high performance director at the Calgary Olympic Oval. He was also high performance director at the Ontario Speed Skating Association.

“To now have the opportunity to coach the best speed skaters in the world, here in Montreal, is something that makes me quite proud,” said Bedard.