Wisconsin men’s hockey assistant coach John Hynes will be leaving the program to accept the head coaching position with the U.S. National Under-18 Team. Hynes will serve as U.S. National Development Coach of the National Team Development Program, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., a position previously held by Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves.

“We are extremely excited to welcome John back to USA Hockey after he helped build the National Team Development Program’s foundation during earlier years,” USA Hockey Senior Director of Hockey Operations Jim Johannson said. “Through his history of guiding players in the program, John has shared in many of the NTDP’s greatest accomplishments. His abilities as a hockey strategist, as well as an effective communicator with young players, will be assets to the organization.”

Hynes will share oversight duties with David Quinn of the NTDP. He replaces Moe Mantha, who resigned Oct. 28. This will be his third stint with the NTDP. After serving as an assistant at Boston University in 1997, Hynes was a graduate assistant coach from 1998-2000. He coached the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 teams, and Team USA’s entry in the 1999 and 2000 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 World Championships. In 2001, he coached under Eaves on the Under-18 Team. The U.S. team he helped coach took the gold medal at the 2002 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. He also served as assistant coach for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 2000-2001.

As a player, Hynes appeared in four consecutive NCAA Frozen Four tournaments with Boston University, winning the National Championship in 1995. A forward, Hynes was a three-time letter winner for the Terriers.

Although it comes in the midst of Wisconsin’s season, the opportunity to become a head coach was ultimately too much for Hynes to pass up.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for me and a significant step in my coaching career,” Hynes said. “It is a truly unique position in the sport because it offers so many different experiences through a schedule that includes international, college and junior hockey competition. It really is a one-of-a-kind challenge that I’m looking forward to pursuing.”

Hynes came to Wisconsin with Eaves before the 2002-03 season, coaching the Badger forwards and defensemen. He will remain with the Badgers through this week in preparation for this weekend’s games against rival Minnesota. Wisconsin has not named a replacement for Hynes.