John Tortorella is prepared to make a comeback at coaching hockey -- on a temporary basis, at least.
A person familiar with the decision confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that Tortorella has been selected to coach the United States national team competing in the World Cup of Hockey tournament next year. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because USA Hockey is scheduled to make the announcement following ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast.
The 57-year-old, Boston-born Tortorella -- renowned for his combative personality -- has been out of the NHL since May 2014, when he was fired after one season of coaching the Vancouver Canucks.