Wild general manager Bill Guerin will serve as Team USA general manager for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

The announcement from USA Hockey comes after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced at last weekend that NHL players will play in the 2026 Winter Olympics. It will mark the first time since the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi that NHL players compete in the international spectacle.

“It’s an honor beyond belief to be asked to do this and I couldn’t say yes quick enough,” Guerin said in a release. “I am so thankful to USA Hockey for this opportunity, and also appreciate the support of (Wild owner Craig Leipold) and the Wild organization. I’ve been fortunate to have many great days in hockey. This is among the very best.”

The decision made sense considering Guerin was initially slated to serve in the same role at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He never got the chance as the NHL withdrew due to COVID concerns.

“We’re excited to have Bill leading efforts to build our teams,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said in a release. “He was obviously an extraordinary player and has gone on to become an accomplished executive in the NHL.”

Additionally, Guerin will serve as Team USA general manager for the newly minted NHL 4 Nations Face Off. That competition will take place next February and will feature NHL players from the U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden.

“With the NHL asking the competing teams to name their first six players for the NHL 4 Nations Face Off early this summer, it was important for us to name a general manager, and we couldn’t be happier to have Bill engaged for both that event and the Olympics,” USA hockey assistant executive director of hockey operations John Vanbiesbrouck said in a release. “He brings the same level of competitiveness to his role as a general manager as he did as a player on the ice, and that’s a real benefit.”

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