Jack Capuano has been appointed head coach of the US national team for 2021 ©Getty Images

Jack Capuano, an associate coach for National Hockey League (NHL) side Ottawa Senators, has been named head coach of the United States men's national team and will lead the side at the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship.

As well as hiring Capuano, USA Hockey has also named its squad for the IIHF's flagship event, which is set to start on Friday (May 21) in Latvia's capital Riga.

Latvia is the sole host after Belarus was stripped of co-hosting rights.

Capuano will be supported by assistant coaches Nate Leaman and Adam Nightingale, while Kevin Reiter will serve as goaltending coach and Mike King as video coach.

"We're extremely fortunate to have an outstanding coaching staff, led by Jack Capuano," said Chris Drury, general manager of the US men's national team.

"Their involvement with USA Hockey in various ways over the course of time and combined international experience will be of great benefit as we head into the tournament."

Capuano previously served as an assistant coach for the US team at the 2017 World Championship and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, as well as head coach of the 2005 US under-18 select team at the Five Nations Cup in Slovakia.

A 26-player roster has been named for this month's World Championship, with eight of those selected first- or second-round picks in the NHL Draft.

Brian Boyle is the oldest member of the US roster for the World Championship ©Getty Images
Brian Boyle is the oldest member of the US roster for the World Championship ©Getty Images

"We're excited with the roster we have and look forward to the World Championship," added Drury.

"It's a unique year and we appreciate the dedication and commitment of everyone.

"We really like our team and our goal, like every other team out country puts on the ice, is to bring home a gold medal."

The US will leave for Riga tomorrow and will start their campaign next Saturday (May 22) against Finland.

The roster is made up of three goaltenders, nine defensemen and 14 forwards - with 18-year-old Matty Beniers being the youngest member of the team - half the age of Brian Boyle - the oldest roster member.

Beniers helped the US win the IIHF World Junior Championship earlier this year.

Ten players are set to make their IIHF World Championship debut - Boyle, Colin Blackwell, Conor Garland, Connor Mackey, Trevor Moore, Eric Robinson, Kevin Rooney, Matt Roy, Ryan Shea and Matt Tennyson.

Ryan Donato is the sole Olympian on the team - having played for the US at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.