Mike Sullivan Named U.S. Men’s Hockey Coach for 2026 Milan Olympics

Title: Mike Sullivan Named U.S. Men’s Hockey Coach for 2026 Milan Olympics

Mike Sullivan, the two-time Stanley Cup champion coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been selected as the U.S. coach for the 2026 Milan Olympics. This move comes as the country aims for its first gold medal since the legendary “Miracle On Ice” in 1980.

USA Hockey also announced that Sullivan will be behind the bench for the Four Nations Face-Off next year, leading up to the Olympics. This tournament will be a showcase of international competition as NHL players make their return to the Olympics after missing the past two.

U.S. general manager Bill Guerin expressed excitement about having Sullivan lead the team, citing his impressive coaching background, including experience with international hockey.

Sullivan, a native of Massachusetts, previously served as an assistant at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. Despite past disappointments for the U.S. in international competitions, including the 2014 Sochi Olympics, there is renewed hope with NHL players returning to the Olympics in Milan and France in 2030.

The opportunity for American stars like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel to compete on the world stage is eagerly anticipated. Sullivan, who was set to coach the U.S. in Beijing in 2022 before the NHL withdrew, is ready to lead the team to success.

In a statement, Sullivan expressed gratitude for the chance to coach Team USA and emphasized his pride in the progress of hockey in the country. USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher praised Sullivan as a great coach with a strong passion for American hockey.

With Sullivan at the helm, Team USA is gearing up for an exciting journey towards the 2026 Milan Olympics, aiming to reclaim Olympic glory in the sport of ice hockey.