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O F F T HE D R AW When Tony Granato was introduced as the head coach of the 2018 U.S. Men's Olympic Team on Aug. 4, he joked that one member of his coaching staff was nowhere to be found. "Chris is probably off skating somewhere thinking that we're asking him to play," Granato said in reference to Chris Chelios, whose passion for the game and for USA Hockey is legendary. Seven years after closing the book on a Hall of Fame career, the four-time Olympian still looks like he could still lace up his skates for Team USA. This time around, though, Chelios will be called on to provide a wealth of experience behind the bench to help the U.S. squad when the puck drops in PyeongChang, South Korea. Also named to the staff are assistant coaches Keith Allain, Ron Rolston and Scott Young. All have extensive international experience as both players and coaches. Young, who will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Dec. 13, played in three Olympics, while Rolston spent seven years as a head coach at the National Team Development Program. Allain is returning as an assistant coach with a U.S. Olympic Team for the third time after serving in 1992 and 2006. While Granato is the head coach of the U.S. team for the first time, he is no stranger to international competition. He was an assistant coach for the 2014 Olympic Team and played in seven international competitions, including the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. He is currently the head coach at the University of Wisconsin after serving 13 NHL seasons as a coach. "When I started this process, I wanted this to be USA Hockey," said Jim Johannson, who will serve as the team's general manager. "And when I say those five names (of the coaching staff) along with Ben Smith (director of player personnel), to me that's USA Hockey." K YLE OKPOSO TOOK HIS FIRST steps back on the road to recovery from the lingering effects of a concussion when he hit the ice for a Da Beauty League game at Braemar Ice Arena, 19 miles from his hometown of St. Paul, Minn. The Buffalo Sabres forward missed the final six games of last season after feel- ing ill before the start of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 28. Okposo had trouble sleeping and lost signif- icant weight, which led to a stay in intensive care at Buffalo General Medical Center. Skating with fellow pros and college play- ers in the summer league game was a good sign that the 29-year-old will be ready to rejoin his Sabres teammates once training camp begins in mid-September. "Obviously seeing a teammate go through something like that and struggle to get healthy is tough," Sabres forward Hudson Fasching said. "He's such a good guy and going through a lot with that whole deal, trying to figure out what was wrong. "I'm just happy he's healthy and happy for him to get back." Okposo gave a wave when the announcer drew the attention of fans during his first shift in the 4-on-4 game. "Really good [to see him out there]," said Minnesota Wild captain Zach Parise, who has kept close ties with Okposo over the years. "I guess this was kind of his return back to the scene and to the public." P SEPTEMBER 2017 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 13 PHOTOS COURTESY OF Getty Images (2); Temo Photo NHL Okposo Return A Beautiful Sight -Mike Sullivan Head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins There are certain things that go on out there that you can't control, but what you can control is your attitude, your determination, your work ethic [and] your never-say-die mindset." THEY SAID IT International Experience The Hallmark Of U.S. Olympic Staff OLYMPICS