Brent Darnell, in his initial season as the assistant director of player personnel for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, will be making his IIHF coaching debut as an assistant coach with the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team.

Prior to taking his current role, Darnell served two seasons (2019-21) as an assistant coach at the NTDP and previous to that was the senior director of education for College Hockey, Inc.  

Darnell skated two seasons (2009-2011) with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede before embarking on a four-year collegiate career (2011-2015) at Michigan State University. He ended his playing days skating in six games with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors.