Team USA Names New GM, Coach for Non-NHL Olympic Team

USA Hockey announced John Vanbiesbrouck and David Quinn will serve as GM and coach, respectively, for Team USA at the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The NHL might not be going to the Olympics. But that doesn't mean hockey won't be played. 

USA Hockey announced the two central figures that are set to lead their non-NHL roster in Beijing next month, appointing John Vanbeisbrouck as team GM and David Quinn as head coach. 

Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin and Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan were set to assume those respective roles up until the NHL officially announced their withdrawal from the upcoming games last week. 

Despite the lack of NHL presence at games this year, Quinn adds big-league experience to USA's coaching staff, having spent the past three seasons behind the New York Rangers' bench before being let go at the end of the 2021 campaign. Quinn finished his tenure in New York with a 96-87-25 record and oversaw the development of one of the USA's top players in Adam Fox. 

Vanbiesbrouck's appointment, however, brings with it serious ethical questions. 

The former goaltender currently serves as the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, and publicly acknowledged allegations of using racist language by former NHL defenseman, Trevor Daley in the past. The news of Vanbiesbrouck's hiring comes as Stan Bowman previously stepped down as U.S. GM due to findings from an abuse report during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks.