Former Vancouver Canucks Coach Lands New Head Coach Job Just Days After Parting Ways with Pittsburgh Penguins
Photo credit: NHL
A former Vancouver Canucks assistant coach has landed a pretty massive job in the National Hockey League little less than a week after leaving his previous team.
Entering Friday, the Vancouver Canucks were among eight teams in the NHL that were searching for their next head coach after Rick Tocchet departed the organization to pursue other opportunities.
One potential option for the Vancouver Canucks many were wondering about was Mike Sullivan, their former assistant coach, however Jim Rutherford confirmed that he wanted to remain in the Eastern Conference and that's exactly what happened.
Former Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Mike Sullivan lands new job
On Friday morning, the New York Rangers, who fired Peter Laviolette in mid-April, announced that they've appointed Mike Sullivan as their 38th head coach in franchise history.
"The 38th Head Coach in #NYR history.
Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully!" the Rangers said on X.
Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully!" the Rangers said on X.
Sullivan, 57, spent the last ten seasons as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading them to the Stanley Cup in back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017 where they defeated the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, respectively.
New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury was quite happy that they were able to land Mike Sullivan, someone he calls one of the premier coaches in the National Hockey League who will bring a championship-level presence to The Big Apple.
"Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL. Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career - including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level - Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. I've gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey. As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team." Drury said.
The Marshfield, Massachusetts native spent one season (2013-14) behind the bench with the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach on John Tortorella's staff.
That year, Vancouver would go on to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in six seasons, leading to the firing of Mike Sullivan and John Tortorella.
Source: New York Rangers
Mike Sullivan Named Rangers Head Coach
Mike Sullivan Named Rangers Head Coach
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
MAI 2 | 782 ANSWERS Former Vancouver Canucks Coach Lands New Head Coach Job Just Days After Parting Ways with Pittsburgh Penguins Do you think Mike Sullivan is the right coach for the New York Rangers? | ||
| Yes | 544 | 69.6 % |
| No | 238 | 30.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
