Joining him as an associate coach will be Maura Crowell, head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth, while Courtney Kennedy, associate head women's ice hockey coach at Boston College, will be an assistant coach.

“We've enjoyed considerable success with Joel in recent years and we look forward to having him guide our program for another season," said Reagan Carey, director of women’s hockey at USA Hockey. "Along with Maura and Courtney, we're confident they will help our players reach their fullest potential."

Johnson will lead the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team at the 2017 Women's Under-18 Series against Canada in Lake Placid, New York, from August 17-20, and at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women's World Championship that is anticipated to take place in early 2018.

Johnson will also participate at the USA Hockey Girls' Under-18 Select Camp that will take place June 24-30, at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, and the USA Hockey Girls' Under-18 Player Development Camp (July 15-21) and Girls' 15 Player Development Camp (July 8-12) that are taking place at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Johnson is serving as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team for the fourth consecutive season after leading Team USA to the gold medal in three consecutive (2015, 2016 and 2017) IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships. Johnson has additional experience with USA Hockey as a member of the coaching staff for the 2012 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship and a pair of Women's Under-18 Series (2013-14). He has also served as a coach at various U.S. Women's Select Festivals.

"It's always an honor to serve as the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team and I look forward to another successful season," said Johnson. "I love working with our young players and aspire to help them achieve their goals while representing USA Hockey."

Johnson completed his 12th season as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota in 2016-17. During two stints, Johnson has been a part of six national titles (2000, 2004, 2012-13, 2015-16) with the Golden Gophers. He originally served as an assistant coach from 1999-2004 and returned to the University of Minnesota in the same capacity in 2010-11 after a six-year hiatus.

Johnson also spent six seasons coaching at Bethel University from 2004-10, including three years as the men's hockey head coach. Along with his men's hockey responsibilities, he was also the men's and women's golf coach and prior to that was the soccer coach where he earned MIAC Coach of the Year honors.