Mike Sullivan has clear memories of watching the 'Miracle on Ice,' the moment when the U.S. men's hockey team upset the Soviet Union in the medal round en route to a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics.
He was 12 years old at the time, playing youth hockey in Boston.
"I remember for a number of the events, being with my team skating myself," Sullivan recalled on Wednesday. "I just remember, wherever we were, we were always looking for a television and seeing how the team was doing. That team had such an inspiration on on my generation."
The U.S. hasn't won an Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since that tournament in 1980.
Now, 42, years later, Sullivan will look to lead the U.S. men to gold once again.
USA Hockey on Wednesday officially named Sullivan head coach of its men's team for the 2022 Olympics, which will take place in Beijing in February.
"It's hard to articulate in words what this means to me to have the opportunity to be the head coach for our Olympic team in Beijing," Sullivan said. "You know, I've had the privilege of participating in national events, both as a player and as a coach over the years. And it's always been such a great experience to put the USA sweater on and to represent your nation, it's a distinct honor. It's really difficult to articulate into words what it means. And I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity."
Sullivan said that when he received the news that he was named head coach, he spoke with his family about the opportunity to be "part of something that's bigger than yourself."
"That's what these national tournaments represent," he said. "You're representing your nation first and foremost. We have a proud nation. We hold our values dear. And so we've got a great opportunity here to kind of build that legacy and carry on that tradition. And I get emotional when I when I think about it, because it means so much to me. So it really is an honor to be part of this."
This will be Sullivan's second time behind the bench for Team USA at the Olympics, but the first as head coach. He was an assistant coach for the 2006 Olympics in Torino.
I asked Sullivan on Wednesday what his favorite memories were of that experience in 2006, and the things that stand out to him happened away from the rink.
"One of the greatest experience that I found was having the ability to live in the Olympic Village with all the other athletes," he said. "And I talk to my kids about this to this day, just being able to eat lunch in the cafeteria next to athletes from other sports, and sharing each other's experiences. You end up meeting people and rooting for them in other sports and just the camaraderie that's involved with all the other athletes that represent your nation. For me it's such a great experience on so many levels."
As part of that experience in 2006, he also learned about the challenges of building an Olympic roster and making those preparations in the midst of an NHL season.
"There's no doubt this logistically will be an added challenge," Sullivan said. "But it's a challenge that I'm excited about. It's a challenge that I look forward to. And I'm grateful because I know I'll be surrounded on both sides, whether it's the Olympic initiative, or it's the Pittsburgh Penguins with just great people that that are that are going to help in the process."
Since 1980, the U.S. men have only medaled in the Olympics twice, winning silver in 2002 and 2010. When Sullivan was one of the coaches behind the bench in 2006, the U.S. team was eliminated by the eventual silver-medalist Finns in the quarterfinal round.
Sullivan said that in Beijing, the expectation -- not just the hope -- is to win gold.
"When you look at the player pool that that we have in the United States today, for me, it's as deep as it's ever been," he said. "And I think that's a that's a bold statement when you consider some of the great American born players."
Sullivan said that players of his generation -- guys like Brian Leetch, Chris Chelios, Keith Tkachuk, Billy Guerin, Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick, Mike Modano -- built a strong legacy for U.S. men's hockey, and that the American-born players of this generation are "every bit as talented" as them.
"So I think the expectation is to win gold," he said. "I believe we have talented enough players to do so. I look forward to the opportunity to compete with these guys."