Wild’s GM Bill Guerin Right Choice for Team USA

It’s been a busy week with trade rumors swirling and the NHL announcing they would allow players to compete in the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics. A few days after that announcement, the Team USA higher-ups named the Minnesota Wild’s general manager (GM) and president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin, the GM of Team USA. He’ll serve in that role for the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

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He was supposed to serve in the role in 2022, but the NHL pulled out of the Olympics because of COVID-19 issues. He’s getting a second chance at the job, and he’s the right guy for it. In this article, we’ll explore why he’s the right choice. 

Guerin’s Playing Background

Typically, for a coaching or higher-up job in hockey, it’s to a person’s advantage if they grew up playing hockey and possibly played at a higher level. Guerin has done that; he played 18 years in the NHL with several teams, starting with the New Jersey Devils and then moving on to the Edmonton Oilers. He joined the Boston Bruins and then the Dallas Stars. Before finishing his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he had short stints with the St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, and New York Islanders. 

So not only did he play at a high level, but he earned a vast amount of experience during those years. He even won two Stanley Cups over those seasons; he won his first with the Devils and his second with the Penguins alongside Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang during their dynasty years. 

While he has plenty of NHL playing experience and has a closer understanding of how they work, their routines, playing styles, etc., he also has Olympic experience playing with Team USA not just once, but three times; however, they only medaled once in 2002, bringing home a silver medal. While he retired from playing in 2010, he didn’t leave the hockey world; he became more invested as he began his experience behind the scenes, including helping build rosters and championship-caliber teams. 

Guerin’s GM Experience 

Guerin stuck around Pittsburgh after his playing days as he became their player development coach, where he helped with prospects for a few seasons before moving up. He continued climbing the ladder after some time in the game’s player development area. He was promoted to assistant GM and GM of the Penguins American Hockey League team, Wilkes-Barre-Scranton.