Mike Sullivan did not take long to find work. The New York Rangers announced on Friday the next coach of the team.
This decision comes only a few days after the Double Champion of the Stanley Cup was dismissed by the Penguins of Pittsburgh.
Sullivan joins a team of rangers looking to bounce back after failing the expectations last season. After going to the final of the conference during the 2023-24 season, the Rangers did not succeed in the playoffs this year. A fainting of the second half was the culprit, while New York went 8-13 in the section. The collapse led to the dismissal of the Peter Laviolette team, opening the door to Sullivan to enter the fold.
Advertisement
It will be the third pass of Sullivan with the Rangers. He was assistant to the team twice – 2009-10 and 2012-13 – when he was between the roles of coaching. Sullivan was also drafted by the team in 1987, but chose to return to college. He never played for the Rangers.
After an 11 -year -old player in NHL, Sullivan went to training. His star got up quickly and he was hired by Boston’s Bruins only a few years after his retirement. He spent two seasons with Boston, making a file of 70-56-15.
Sullivan then rebounded in various teams as an assistant while he was waiting for his next coaching opportunity. He spent time as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks before becoming a development coach with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2014-15 NHL season.
Advertisement
The following year, Sullivan was hired by the Penguins, where he immediately had success. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup the first two years of Sullivan’s mandate. In 10 seasons with the team, he compiled a record of 409-255. He is the most victorious head coach in the history of the Penguins.
While the Penguins continued to have strong seasons on Sullivan, the team became known for its first releases in the playoffs. After reaching 34-36 last season, the Penguins dismissed Sullivan in April. It was the first time in his Penguins mandate that the team ended less than 0,500.
Given his success in Pittsburgh, Sullivan was to arouse a lot of interest once he became a free agent. The Rangers jumped at the opportunity to bring Sullivan back and hoping that he will be able to put the franchise on the right track after a disappointing year.
