Pittsburgh’s Dan Bylsma to coach U.S. Olympic hockey team at Sochi

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma will lead the U.S. hockey team at the Sochi Olympics next year.

USA Hockey had previously named Nashville Predators president and GM David Poile as general manager of the American team.

Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero will serve as associate general manager and Anaheim Ducks consultant Brian Burke will be director of player personnel.

Ron Wilson coached the Americans in 2010 at Vancouver, where they lost to Canada via a Sidney Crosby overtime goal.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is slated to meet Monday with the NHL Players’ Association, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation to finalize a deal to have NHL players take part in Sochi.

Other candidates for the Sochi Team USA coaching job were reportedly John Tortorella of the Vancouver Canucks and Peter Laviolette of the Philadelphia Flyers.