Shot Left Height 1.80 m Position Centerman Role Ice hockey player Career end 1961 | Name George Sullivan Career start 1949 Playing career Weight 73 kg | |
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Born December 24, 1929 (age 94)
Peterborough, ON, CAN ( 1929-12-24 ) Played for Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers | ||
George James "Red" Sullivan (born December 24, 1929) was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1949 to 1961.
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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. He was dismissed on March 31, 1969 after two consecutive seasons of the Penguins failing to qualify for the playoffs due to a pair of fifth-place finishes.
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.