Mike Sullivan savored his first Stanley Cup celebration from a respectful distance. Standing at ice level with the trophy being raised all around him, he was close enough to feel the radiating joy and sense of accomplishment that went into winning it.
Sunday marked the six-year anniversary of his hiring as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The message was the same on Friday during the Penguins’ practice session.
And just as loud. Perhaps even louder.
There are only 32, spread among the NHL franchises that span the continent. Get one, and you’re all but guaranteed of earning a seven-figure salary. Of possessing a high public profile, even if it’s only in one market.
They presented him with a plaque after he earned his 253rd victory, passing Dan Bylsma for the most in franchise history
The sunshine coming through his office window in suburban Pittsburgh had something to do with it. That’ll soon be in short supply. But the Penguins head coach, clearly, is thrilled about his new side gig. He’s leading the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Mike Sullivan has been named the head coach of the 2022 United States Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, it was announced today by USA Hockey.
With the 2022 Winter Olympics fast approaching, organizations like Hockey Canada are starting to make preparations for the teams they will send to represent the country.
Mike Sullivan will always remember the night he found his mother, Myrna, on the back deck wearing slippers and a nightgown — and wielding a hammer.
Picture an NHL coach. Windbreaker with a team logo at the morning skate, business attire at the game. Frantically scribbling notes on a card or whiteboard, less concerned with a player’s “underlying numbers” than with “grit and jam.”
“If I’m Team USA general manager Stan Bowman, my choice to coach in Beijing — if there is NHL involvement [at the Olympics] in China, and that’s still to be finalized — would be Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan … Sullivan is on the long list of those with coach of the year credentials this season. The others: Rick Tocchet in Arizona; Rod Brind’Amour in Carolina; Sheldon Keefe in Toronto; Dean Evason in Minnesota; Joel Quenneville in Florida; Barry Trotz, again, every year on Long Island. That’s seven strong candidates and only three can be finalists.”
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