At Newsday, Arthur Staple writes that the Rangers haven’t been asked permission by anyone to interview Mike Sullivan for a head coaching job.
Sullivan was Head Coach of the Bruins for two seasons. In 2003-04 he led them to first in the Northeast Division 41-19-15-7 record and a first round playoff exit. In 2005-06 he was fired after the Bruins finished in fifth place with a 29-37-16 record.
I didn’t even consider that Sullivan wouldn’t be back or that he would be a candidate for another teams opening. That isn’t a knock on Sullivan, but he was never mentioned as a candidate for any of the jobs. I think that he is a smart coach and will get another head coaching chance at some point.
Sullivan will help at the USA Hockey World Juniors camp.
Capitals fans spilled ice on Sullivan during the Rangers first round playoff series.
In other coaching news, the Columbus Dispatch says that Ken Hitchcock may become an assistant coach with the Red Wings.
Update 3PM: The Rangers just made it official, Sullivan will be Tort’s Assistant coach. Press release after the jump
Original Post: Steve Zipay, of Newsday, reports that Mike Sullivan will re-join former boss John Tortorella on the Rangers bench as associate coach.
Sullivan was drafted 67th overall by the Rangers in 1987, yet remained at Boston University and never suited up for the Rangers.
In 709 career games, Sullivan had 54 goals and 82 assists.
Sullivan was hired to coach the Boston Bruins in 2003 and led them to a 41-19-15-7 record and first place in the North East Division.
Sullivan’s record dropped to 29-37-16 after the lockout and was fired by new GM Peter Chiarelli.
He then joined John Tortorella’s staff in Tampa Bay in 2007.
….This took longer then a lot of people thought but its done and its a good move. Sullivan has obvious coaching talent and he should be a big boost to Tort’s staff.
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Andrew Gross of The Record reports that Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Mike Sullivan has been granted permission to speak to other teams.
Sullivan had been John Tortorella’s assistant coach in Tampa Bay and the Rangers tried to bring him in along with Tortorella when Tom Renney was fired.
