Mike Sullivan is a former professional ice hockey player and current head coach in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on February 27, 1968, in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and began his hockey career playing for Boston University from 1986 to 1990.
After college, Sullivan played professionally in the NHL for ten seasons, starting with the San Jose Sharks in 1991. He also played for the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and Phoenix Coyotes. Sullivan was known for his physical play and defensive skills, and he was a valuable penalty killer for his teams.
After retiring as a player in 2002, Sullivan began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the AHL's Providence Bruins. He then served as an assistant coach for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers before becoming the head coach of the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2015.
Sullivan's success with the Penguins' AHL affiliate led to his promotion to head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in December 2015. In his first season as head coach, Sullivan led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship, becoming just the fourth coach in NHL history to win the Cup in his first year behind the bench.
Sullivan's coaching style emphasizes speed, skill, and aggressive forechecking, and he is known for his ability to motivate his players and make in-game adjustments. He has also been praised for his communication skills and his ability to build strong relationships with his players.
Under Sullivan's leadership, the Penguins have become one of the most successful teams in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups in three years (2016 and 2017) and making the playoffs in each of his first five seasons as head coach. Sullivan has also coached several star players, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel, and has helped develop young talent like Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust.
In addition to his success with the Penguins, Sullivan has also coached at the international level, serving as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the head coach for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Overall, Mike Sullivan's hockey career has been marked by success as both a player and a coach. He has won championships at both levels and has established himself as one of the top coaches in the NHL today.
🏒