Darren Turcotte(File photo) The head coach of the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team is heading to Europe over the holiday break.

Darren Turcotte is an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, which is looking to defend its gold medal at the 2016 Nations Cup.

The international tournament is taking place January 4th to 7th in Füssen, Germany.

Canada also has a couple pre-tournament games in Austria.

Turcotte was named an assistant coach with the team back in June.

The team’s 22 player-roster was announced on Wednesday.

In OUA women’s hockey, the Lakers return to the ice January 8th with a game at Memorial Gardens against the University of Toronto.