George Sullivan (ice hockey)

George Sullivan
Born	(1929-12-24) 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	1949–1961

George James "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 (1949–1953). He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks (1954–1956) and the New York Rangers (1956–1961). 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. 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.

Coaching record

Team	Year	Regular season						Post season
		G	W	L	T	Pts	Finish	Result
New York Rangers	1962–63	36	11	18	8	(56)	5th in NHL	Missed playoffs
New York Rangers	1963–64	70	22	38	10	54	5th in NHL	Missed playoffs
New York Rangers	1964–65	70	20	38	12	52	5th in NHL	Missed playoffs
New York Rangers	1965–66	20	5	10	5	(47)	6th in NHL	(fired)
Pittsburgh Penguins	1967–68	74	27	34	13	(67)	5th in West	Missed playoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins	1968–69	76	20	45	11	51	5th in West	Missed playoffs
Washington Capitals	1974–75	18	2	16	0	(21)	5th in Norris	(fired)
NHL Total		364	107	199	59

External links

• George Sullivan's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database

Sporting positions
Preceded by Harry Howell	New York Rangers captain 1957–61	Succeeded by Andy Bathgate
Preceded by Muzz Patrick	Head coach of the New York Rangers 1962–65	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