Penguins Mike Sullivan Will Lead Team USA In NHL’s Return To The Olympics

The National Hockey League is gearing up to send its players and coaches back to the Olympics for the first time since 2014 when they take part in the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 

On Saturday it was revealed that Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan will lead Team USA.

And, lucky him, he'll get a dress rehearsal in 2025 before heading to Italy the following year.

"We’re excited to have Mike guiding our teams," Team USA general manager Bill Guerin said in a statement, per the Associated Press. "He is one of the very best coaches in the game and his background, including with international hockey, is well-suited to help put our team in the best position to win."

Sullivan isn't a newbie when it comes to leading Team USA. He was an assistant at the 2006 games in Turin as well as the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. He was supposed to be behind the bench in 2022 before the NHL decided against sending its players to the Games in Beijing.

"I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to coach Team USA in these two significant international events," Sullivan said. "It’s been amazing to see the progress we’ve made in hockey in our country over the course of my career. I am honored to lead our best players and I look forward to the challenge that lies ahead."

In addition to coaching at the Olympics, Sullivan will also coach the US team next winter in the NHL's new international tournament known as the Four Nations Face-Off.

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan will coach Team USA in the 2026 Olympics as well as the inaugural Four Nations Face-Off. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

The 2026 Olympic Hockey Tournament Will Be What The Kids Call ‘A Banger’

Sullivan's a solid choice to coach the team, but you could throw anyone there and I'd be fired up for the NHL's return to the Olympics. The league's decision not to participate in 2018 and 2022 had the biggest negative impacts on the United States and Canada; countries whose best players typically play in the NHL.

The US hasn't won gold since the 1980 Miracle On Ice, but 2026 could be the best chance since.

We're looking at a team that could have Auston Matthews, the Hughes brothers, Jack Eichel, Adam Fox, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk and there will be some solid goaltending options like Jeremy Swayman, Thatcher Demko, and Connor Hellebuyck.

Yes, Canada will be loaded. The Swedes will be loaded. The Russians (if they're not banned) will be loaded. 

It's going to be the best Olympic tournament in years, no question about it.