George Sullivan (ice hockey)

George Sullivan
Born December 24, 1929
Peterborough, ON, CAN
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st 6 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Boston Bruins
Chicago Black Hawks
New York Rangers
Playing career 19491961

George "Red" Sullivan (born December 24, 1929) was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1949 to 1961.

Playing career

George "Red" Sullivan began his NHL career with the Boston Bruins (19491953). He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks (19541956) and the New York Rangers (19561961). Sullivan led the Chicago Blackhawks in scoring the two years he played for them. Sullivan was nearly killed when Doug Harvey of the Montreal Canadiens speared him in the stomach and ruptured his spleen. A Catholic priest was even called to deliver his last rites yet he survived and resumed his duties with the New York Rangers.[1] During 556 NHL games, he scored 107 goals and 239 assists for 346 points.

In 2009, Sullivan was ranked No. 66 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & Sons).

Coaching career

Sullivan became coach of the Rangers during the 1962–63 season when fans began to demand that Muzz Patrick resign. He coached a rather bad team until December 1965 when Emile Francis decided that he would take over as coach.

Sullivan then coached the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first season. After finishing fifth and out of the playoffs two years in a row, Sullivan was fired.

During the 1974-1975 NHL season, Sullivan replaced Jim Anderson as head coach of the expansion Washington Capitals. Sullivan posted a 2-16 record as head coach and was replaced later that season by Milt Schmidt.[2]

Coaching record

Team Year Regular season Post season
G W L T Pts Finish Result
New York Rangers1962–63 3611188(56)5th in NHLMissed playoffs
New York Rangers1963–64 70223810545th in NHLMissed playoffs
New York Rangers1964–65 70203812525th in NHLMissed playoffs
New York Rangers1965–66 205105(47)6th in NHL(fired)
Pittsburgh Penguins1967–68 74273413(67)5th in WestMissed playoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins1968–69 76204511515th in WestMissed playoffs
Washington Capitals1974–75 182160(21)5th in Norris(fired)
NHL Total 36410719959

References

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Harry Howell
New York Rangers captain
195761
Succeeded by
Andy Bathgate
Preceded by
Muzz Patrick
Head coach of the New York Rangers
196265
Succeeded by
Emile Francis
Preceded by
Position created
Head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins
1967–69
Succeeded by
Red Kelly
Preceded by
Jim Anderson
Head coach of the Washington Capitals
1975
Succeeded by
Milt Schmidt