The United States men’s ice hockey team is gearing up for Milano Cortina 2026 under the leadership of Mike Sullivan, as the nation eyes its first Olympic gold since the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
From frozen ponds to the Olympic bench
Sullivan’s journey began on the frozen ponds of Duxbury, Massachusetts, where as a child he imagined himself among the heroes of Lake Placid.
“As a kid playing hockey in the Boston area and certainly playing street hockey in front of the house, or playing hockey on the ponds, we were always pretending that we were those guys,” Sullivan recalled. “And hopefully someday we got the opportunity ourselves.”
Now 57, Mike Sullivan steps into the Olympic role with decades of experience and a deep understanding of American hockey culture.
A veteran coach with an impressive resume
Sullivan’s coaching career spans international tournaments and NHL success. He first tasted Olympic ice as an assistant coach at Torino 2006 and has since led teams in multiple World Championships and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Most recently, he guided the U.S. to the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025, narrowly falling to Canada in overtime.
“Anytime you have an opportunity to represent the nation, you become part of something bigger than yourself,” Sullivan said. “In a lot of ways, it’s bigger than sport.”
Currently the head coach of the New York Rangers, Mike Sullivan describes the Olympics as a “pinnacle of international play” and sees the Games as an honor and responsibility unlike any other.
Coaching Philosophy: Cooperation and accountability
Sullivan’s philosophy blends partnership with players and high standards of accountability. “Players need to know you are in it with them. Coach Parker once told me, before players want to know what you know, they want to know that you care,” he explained. “It is important that as a coaching staff we build a partnership with players.”
This approach has translated into success in the NHL, including two Stanley Cup victories with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and now informs his strategy for Team USA.
High hopes for Milano Cortina
Team USA enters Milano Cortina 2026 with a deep roster, including NHL stars Auston Matthews, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy. This will be the first Olympics since Sochi 2014 to feature NHL players, raising expectations for American fans.
Mike Sullivan and his staff, which includes John Hynes, David Quinn, John Tortorella, and goaltending coach Mike Buckley, aim to end the 46-year Olympic gold drought.
“We want to be fiercely competitive. We want to play the game with courage, and we want to care for one another,” Sullivan said. “We want to care so much to the point that we’re willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
With the team fresh off IIHF World Championship success over Canada, hopes are high that Sullivan can inspire a new generation of heroes and deliver a historic Olympic triumph.