Claude Julien describes the injury he suffered at Canada's training camp

Prior to their first game of the 2022 Olympic tournament, Hockey Canada announced that Claude Julien has returned to the team and will be back behind the bench starting on Friday night against United States.

It was originally reported that Julien slipped on ice and fractured ribs. He told reporters that the injury was suffered during a sledding accident, he hit a tree and required surgery for fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

"We went sledding. It was icy, slid off the trail there with the sled, ended up hitting a tree, and fracturing the ribs. Very fortunate that it wasn't any worse," Julien said.

He added, "The care that I got (in Switzerland) after the team left was outstanding... they were actually really pushing hard to get me to come here. They were in contact with our medical staff and saying, 'We'll do whatever it takes to get your coach back.' What great teamwork."

Julien will return to the bench on Friday night as Canada battles their arch-rival, the United States. Puck drop is set for 11:10 p.m. ET on CBC.

Claude Julien says he fell off a sled and hit a tree during that team building exercise in Switzerland. Canada's head coach needed surgery for a broken rib and a punctured lung. #Beijing2022— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) February 11, 2022

«The care that I got (in Switzerland) after the team left was outstanding ... they were actually really pushing hard to get me to come here. They were in contact with our medical staff and saying, 'We'll do whatever it takes to get your coach back.'
«What great teamwork."— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) February 11, 2022

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