A Lifetime Achievement Award

MILAN – Mike Sullivan’s eyes began to well up during the 2025 USA Hockey Long Drink Level 5 Coaches Symposium as he contemplated the forthcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Describing Sullivan’s gratitude for being the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in Milan, Italy, would be an understatement.

Sullivan’s journey to becoming a hockey player—and now a two-time Stanley Cup champion head coach in the NHL—is closely linked to the Olympics. The native of Marshfield, Massachusetts, recalls being a 12-year-old when the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team secured the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York.

“When I was a kid, the 1980 experience inspired my generation,” Sullivan remarked.

The current head coach of the New York Rangers understands the significance and influence of the Olympics, and he is fully aware of the privilege of leading the red, white, and blue this February. The 56-year-old was appointed head coach of the 2022 Olympic team, but ultimately the NHL did not participate in the Games due to COVID.

“I feel emotional thinking about it,” Sullivan stated. “It’s the honor of a lifetime. I’ve reflected on it extensively. What an incredible privilege it is to coach the United States in these international competitions, whether it’s the 4 Nations or the Olympics. It represents the pinnacle of our sport.

“It’s our finest American-born players of this generation. And I have the chance to coach them.”

Sullivan and the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team arrived in Milan on Sunday and practiced later that evening at Milano Santagiulia Arena. The team reconvened on the ice again on Monday before pausing on-ice activities on Tuesday.

“It is inspiring to observe these players,” Sullivan commented after practice. “Their capacity to perform at such a high pace and some of the things they execute with the puck at such a rapid tempo are remarkable. Often, we find ourselves in awe of their skills. It’s a privilege to watch them, and we feel like we have the best seat in the house.

"We have a plan for what we want to initiate, and that will begin to take shape over the next few days. One of the aspects we appreciate about our roster is its versatility. We have numerous centers who can also play on the wing. We can adjust players within the lineup based on how we perceive the lines or individual performances.”

The U.S. kicks off preliminary play on Thursday against Latvia at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA Network | Peacock).

There is a responsibility associated with representing the United States. This is something that Sullivan, who has been involved with USA Hockey as a player and coach for five decades, discussed with his players during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off and during the Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp this August in Plymouth, Michigan.

“The 4 Nations has already begun to inspire the next generation,” Sullivan noted. “The Olympics is the next step. I have certainly contemplated that a lot. I know our players have as well because I’ve engaged them in conversation about it.

“It’s a responsibility we carry, but it’s also an extraordinary privilege at the same time.”

Indeed, there are high expectations for the team, particularly with NHL players participating in their first Olympics since 2014, but there is an additional expectation that Sullivan has for his players.

This is something he hopes youth players and coaches can also embody within their own organizations.

“You’re going to witness some exceptional hockey because these players are talented, but for me, it’s about more than that. And it is for the players as well,” Sullivan expressed. “We’re going to represent the American way. What it signifies to be American—work ethic, commitment, care for your teammates. What do we value as Americans? We aim to exemplify that as a team.

“We want to achieve victory with humility and be fierce competitors.”

 A version of this story originally appeared in the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games USA Hockey Magazine preview issue

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