Tomorrow, American men’s ice hockey officially drops the puck at the Milano Cortina Olympics in Italy, marking the first Winter Games to include NHL talent for the first time since 2014.
An already worldwide event will have even more eyes on it, with the game’s most recognizable names in the game suiting up for their country.
Team USA, looking for their first gold medal in the sport since the Miracle On Ice in 1980, will play in Milan under the leadership of head coach Mike Sullivan.
It was never really a question who the bench boss would be for Team USA come Milan time. Sullivan is one of the most well-known American coaches in the game, and was tabbed to head up Team USA at the 2022 Games in Beijing before the NHL pulled out.
But, it is a question as to whether he was the right choice for the 2026 games.
Sullivan is coming off of a heartbreaking loss at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, an NHL-sponsored event that saw Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland play one of the most spirited tournaments you’ll ever see.
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