Sullivan finally on board

July 16, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Earlier today, the Rangers made it official hiring former John Tortorella assistant Mike Sullivan.

This really isn’t any surprise as it had been rumored for months. Sullivan served as Tortorella’s assistant in Tampa Bay during the 2007-08 season. He also is the former Bruins’ coach including guiding them to a Northeast Division title in 2003-04 before the Canadiens ousted them in the first round. In two years there, he went 70-56-15-23.

If the name sounds familiar, it should as he was a grinding forward who played in 709 career NHL games with four different teams (SJ, Cgy, Bos, Phx) totaling 136 points (54-82-136) while racking up 203 penalty minutes. Oddly enough, he was originally drafted by the Rangers in 1987 fourth round but wound up debuting with the Sharks in their inaugural season.

Sullivan also has a solid college background starring for Boston University where he scored 61 goals and 138 points in 141 games over a respectable four-year collegiate career. His BU roots could be a boost for defenseman Matt Gilroy, who the club signed this past Spring. He’s quite familiar with the Hobey Baker Award winner, who impressed at the recent prospect mini-camp.

Sullivan joins Tortorella and goalie coach Benoit Allaire rounding out the staff.

Rangers swap minor leaguers: In a minor deal, the Rangers traded defenseman Brian Fahey to Colorado for defenseman Nigel Williams.