Mike Sullivan Leads Team USA Men's Hockey at Winter Olympics

The two-time Stanley Cup winning head coach is taking the reins of the U.S. men's hockey team in Milan.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Mike Sullivan, a former NHL player and current head coach of the New York Rangers, has been tapped to lead the U.S. men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Sullivan, who grew up watching the "Miracle on Ice" team win gold in 1980, says coaching Team USA is "the honor of a lifetime." The 58-year-old Sullivan has an impressive coaching resume, including two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Why it matters

Sullivan's appointment as Team USA's head coach is seen as a major boost for the U.S. men's hockey program, which is looking to capture its first Olympic gold medal since the famous "Miracle on Ice" victory in 1980. As an experienced NHL coach with a proven track record of success, Sullivan brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership that could help propel the American team to the top of the podium.

The details

A native of Boston, Sullivan played college hockey at Boston University before being drafted by the New York Rangers in 1987. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL for several teams, including the Sharks, Flames, Bruins, and Coyotes, before retiring in 2002. Sullivan immediately transitioned into coaching, serving as a head coach for the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won two Stanley Cups. He is currently the head coach of the New York Rangers.

  • Sullivan was named head coach of the U.S. men's hockey team in January 2026, ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are scheduled to take place from February 6-22, 2026.

The players

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of the U.S. men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Sullivan is a former NHL player who has found great success as a head coach, winning two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Charlie McAvoy

An NHL defenseman who is playing on the U.S. men's hockey team in Milan. McAvoy is the son-in-law of U.S. coach Mike Sullivan, as he is married to Sullivan's daughter Kiley.

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What they’re saying

“When I was a kid, the 1980 experience, that inspired my generation. To coach Team USA, I get emotional thinking about it. It's the honor of a lifetime. I've thought about it a lot...It's essentially the pinnacle of our game. It's our best American-born players of this generation. And I have the opportunity to coach them.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, U.S. Men's Hockey Team

“People who aren't associated with pro sports probably don't realize the sacrifices that families make so that guys like myself can chase their dreams. Families go through a lot of emotional highs and lows during the course of a playing career, or a coaching career, and my family is no different. My wife has been the rock for our family through a very competitive, emotional roller-coaster career, whether as a player, or now as a coach. To have the opportunity to share this with my wife and kids... is a great thrill.”

— Mike Sullivan (Town & Country)

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will look to advance in the tournament as they aim to capture their first Olympic gold medal since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.

The takeaway

Mike Sullivan's appointment as head coach of the U.S. men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics is seen as a major coup, as the veteran NHL coach brings a wealth of experience and success that could help propel the American squad to the top of the podium in Milan.