Is Penguins' Mike Sullivan Worthy of the U.S. Hockey Corridor of Fame?

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was born in Marshfield, MA. Whereas attending Boston College from 1986 to 1990, he was drafted by the New York Rangers within the fourth spherical on the 1987 Draft.

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Ultimately, Sullivan would make his NHL debut in 1991, skating 11 seasons with 4 golf equipment, together with the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and Phoenix Coyotes.

He performed 709 video games, scoring 54 objectives and 136 factors whereas ending his profession with a minus-103 score.

Instantly following his retirement on the finish of the 2001-02 season, Sullivan turned head coach of the Windfall Bruins within the AHL, shifting as much as assistant coach in Boston later within the season.

He was promoted to move coach very quickly, incomes an assistant coach function with Crew USA on the 2006 Winter Olympics whereas serving as head coach on the 2007 World Championships.

After departing Boston in 2006, Sullivan landed with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2007-2009), New York Rangers (2009-2013), and Vancouver Canucks (2013-2014), having an assistant coach with every group.

In 2015, he acquired his identify on the Stanley Cup as the event coach of the Chicago Blackhawks earlier than taking up as head coach with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins halfway by way of the 2015-16 season.

When Pittsburgh sought a change, they promoted Sullivan from the AHL to the NHL, and inside a couple of months, he hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second time. By the tip of his first full season behind the Penguins bench, he guided the crew to their second consecutive title in June 2017.

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Heading into the 2024-25 season, Sullivan has coached 835 video games and compiled a 445-275-15-100 report, ok for a .532 win proportion. Within the playoffs, his groups are 47-42 in 89 contests.

Sullivan’s Legacy Grows With Every Recreation

After 671 video games with the Penguins, Sullivan isn’t solely the longest-serving coach in franchise historical past; his 375 wins additionally rank first. Furthermore, he is solely 5 losses from holding the highest spot in that class, a by-product of his longevity.

It doesn’t matter what his Pittsburgh legacy turns into, Sullivan is the one coach to guide the group to 2 Stanley Cup titles, and his 44 postseason victories are a difficult report to interrupt.

In the meantime, he is solely 25 wins from changing into the fifteenth head coach to achieve 400 wins with a single franchise.

Traditionally, Sullivan ranks thirty fifth general in wins (common season and playoffs) whereas sitting thirty sixth in common season victories.

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At 56, there’s an opportunity that Sullivan coaches into his 60’s. Contemplating he is about to start a three-year contract with the Penguins that may run out on the finish of the 2026-27 season, he’ll solely be 59.

Pittsburgh continues alongside the high-quality line of being a contender and on the cusp of rebuilding; in the meantime, Sullivan’s totals will solely proceed to develop.

As one of many extra profitable American-born coaches within the NHL at the moment, Sullivan has been lucky to construct an impeccable teaching profession after his taking part in days.

The Penguins will have a good time the careers of former gamers Kevin Stevens and Matt Cullen, who’ve earned an induction into the U.S. Hockey Corridor of Fame as a part of the 2024 class.

Whether or not followers love or dislike him, he is arguably probably the most profitable head coach in Penguins historical past, and with three Stanley Cup rings on his mantle, Sullivan is certain to finish up enshrined in Minnesota when he steps away from the sport for good.

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