Sullivan joins US staff

Bruins coach Mike Sullivan yesterday was named an assistant coach for the United States Olympic squad that will compete in Turin, Italy, in February.

He joins former Bruins assistant Peter Laviolette, who last month was named head coach of the American entry. A third Massachusetts native, Keith Allain of Centerville, will also serve as an assistant coach. Allain is the goaltending coach of the St. Louis Blues. Laviolette, who coaches the Carolina Hurricanes, was the head coach and Allain an assistant for the US during the World Hockey Championships last spring.

''We're pleased to have someone with Mike's knowledge and passion on board to assist in guiding our Olympic team," said Don Waddell, who is Team USA's general manager, as well as the executive vice president and GM of the Atlanta Thrashers. ''Mike is a terrific fit and will be a valuable part of our staff."

Bruins trainer Don Del Negro, who worked for Team USA during the world championships, will also be on Laviolette's staff.

Big day for Ben

The Bruins announced the signing of center Ben Walter to a three-year contract. The 21-year-old, who spent the last three seasons at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, elected for forgo his senior year of eligibility. He was taken by Boston with the 160th overall pick in the 2004 draft. Walter, the son of former NHL player Ryan Walter, is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia. He led UMass-Lowell in scoring last year with 39 points, including a Hockey East-leading 26 goals. He had three hat tricks, was tied for the most power-play goals in the conference with 13, and was third in game-winners with four.

Networking

NBC announced its lineup of NHL games and the first date -- Jan. 14 -- will feature the Bruins' matinee against Dallas Stars at TD Banknorth Garden at 2 p.m. The interesting twist is that the Bruins made a full-court press to lure Stars forward Mike Modano, who was an unrestricted free agent, but he re-signed with Dallas. The Bruins will be shown on NBC two other times -- April 8, when they host the Rangers, and April 15, when they take on the Thrashers in Atlanta. Both contests are at 2 p.m. Eight of the Bruins' regular-season games will be broadcast on OLN: at Montreal Oct. 18; at Philadelphia Nov. 8; at New Jersey Nov. 29; at Washington Dec. 27 and Jan. 23; at the Rangers March 20; vs. Atlanta March 21; and vs. Washington April 10.