Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Sullivan was announced Saturday as the head coach of Team USA at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games in Italy.
Sullivan, 56, will also coach the United States in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament against Finland, Sweden and Canada next February.
Sullivan was originally selected as the head coach of the 2022 Olympic team, but was forced to step down after the NHL withdrew from the Games in December 2021.
The NHL needed the Olympic break to reschedule the games, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
David Quinn took his place in 2022. Quinn coached a roster of U.S. college players, minor league players and players from international leagues to a 3-0 record in group play before losing to Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
On February 2, hockey officials announced that NHL players will participate in the 2026 and 2030 Olympics. The last time NHL players competed in the Olympics was in 2014, when the United States finished fourth.
The United States has never won an Olympic championship with NHL players. Before the NHL participation era began in 1998, the U.S. won the gold medal in men's hockey in 1960 and 1980.
Sullivan served as an assistant coach on Peter Laviolette's staff at the 2006 Olympics, then served as head coach at the 2007 World Championships.
Sullivan played as a forward in the NHL from 1991 to 2002 and was on the U.S. team for the 1997 World Championship.
The top Americans currently in the NHL include Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (leading the league with 69 goals last season) and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (leading the league in save percentage in 30 games played).
