Penguins’ Mike Sullivan In Unique Spot Entering 4 Nations Face-Off

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan won’t have the privilege of coaching any of his own players during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Sidney Crosby was selected to Team Canada and named their captain, an honor he’s held before at the 2016 World Cup, 2015 World Championships and 2014 Winter Olympics. Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell, on the other hand, were selected to Team Sweden, which leaves the bench boss looking to build new relationships as he heads up the bench for Team USA.

Sullivan does have a prior relationship with at least one member of the roster, though.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is his son-in-law, with his presence on the Team USA roster presenting a unique opportunity for the family entering the international tournament.

“I’ve thought about it a little bit, I’m not going to lie,” Sullivan told NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin. “It’s an incredible opportunity, I think, for all of us as a family. … The opportunity to coach him in an event like this is a great thrill for me. He’s a great kid, first and foremost. He’s a fierce competitor. I know, at some point in our lives, we’ll look back on it with a whole lot of gratitude to have the opportunity to work together.

“… To have the opportunity to coach my son-in-law in an event like this, someday I think we’ll look back on it and smile with just having the opportunity to work together like that.”

McAvoy was named an alternate captain, while also recently welcoming his first child — a son named Rhys — alongside wife, Kiley.

“His dad got to play for his grandpa,” McAvoy told Benjamin. “How incredible that is and just how rare.”

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