Bill Guerin was named general manager on Tuesday of the United States men’s ice hockey team that will compete at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
“This is a dream come true and the opportunity of a lifetime, something that I’m really looking forward to,” Guerin said. “There are a lot of questions out there but our focus right now is to put together the best team we possibly can to compete for a gold medal. And with the deep player pool that we have in the United States, now we feel that that’s capable.”
Guerin, from Worcester, Massachusetts, was named assistant GM on March 31. He is in his third season as Minnesota Wild general manager after five seasons as an assistant GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who he helped win the Stanley Cup twice (2016, 2017). He also won the Cup twice as a player (New Jersey Devils, 1995; Penguins, 2009).
He replaces Stan Bowman, who stepped down Oct. 27 following an independent investigation of former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach’s allegations of sexual assault by then-video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.
Bowman, who had been Blackhawks GM since 2010, stepped down from that role the same day.
New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury was named assistant GM for the Olympic team.
“There is nothing like representing your country and certainly excited to have this opportunity,” Drury said. “Billy and I certainly go way back and I’m excited to be on staff and looking forward to doing anything and everything he needs for us to be successful.”
Guerin played forward for the U.S. in the Olympics three times (1998, 2002, 2006). The 2002 Salt Lake City team won the silver medal with Guerin scoring four goals in six games.
Drury played alongside Guerin in 2002 and at the 2006 Turin Olympics, when they were roommates. Drury also played at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when eh scored two goals in six games and won a silver medal.
“It’s certainly great to have Bill and Chris working together in building our Olympic team,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said. “They were exceptional players in their day, both played in the Olympics, and today they’re accomplished leaders of NHL clubs. Our team is in good hands.”
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones were the first three names submitted for the United States team Oct. 7. The remainder of the 25-player team is expected to be announced in January.
One player still under consideration is Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, who has yet to play this season after having surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck Nov. 12. He was expected to need three months to recover.
The United States is scheduled to begin play in the tournament against host China on Feb. 10.
“I’ve been in touch with Jack’s agent, but the details of those conversations I need to keep between him and I,” Guerin said. “I won’t rule out anyone right now.”
The U.S. men’s team finished seventh at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, when NHL players did not participate. It was fourth at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
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