George Sullivan (ice hockey)

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
position = Centre
played_for = Boston Bruins
Chicago Black Hawks
New York Rangers
shot = Left
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 160
nickname = Red
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date|1929|12|24|mf=y
birth_place = Peterborough, ONT, CAN
career_start = 1949
career_end = 1961
halloffame =

George "Red" Sullivan (born December 24, 1929 in Peterborough, Ontario) 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 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. [legendsofhockey|14482 Retrieved Oct. 31, 2007.] During 556 NHL games, he scored 107 goals and 239 assists for 346 points.

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. [ [http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=23290 Washington Capitals Club History] ]

ee also

*List of NHL players
*List of NHL seasons

References