Red Sullivan

George James "Red" Sullivan (December 24, 1929 – January 19, 2019) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1949 to 1961. After finishing his playing career Sullivan became a coach, serving in that role between 1962 and 1975.

Red Sullivan
Born (1929-12-24)December 24, 1929
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Died January 19, 2019(2019-01-19) (aged 89)
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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 19491961

Playing career

George "Red" Sullivan began his NHL career with the Boston Bruins (19491953). He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks (19541956) and the New York Rangers (19561961).

Sullivan led the Chicago Black Hawks in scoring in the two years he played with them.

Sullivan was severely injured, and very nearly killed, when defenceman Doug Harvey of the Montreal Canadiens speared him in the stomach, rupturing his spleen, where a Catholic priest was even brought to the hospital to deliver his last rites, however Sullivan survived and resumed his career with the New York Rangers.[1]

During 556 NHL games, he scored 107 goals with 239 assists for 346 points.

In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, the authors ranked Sullivan at No. 66 all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons.[2]

Coaching career

Sullivan became the head coach of the Rangers during the 1962–63 season when fans began to demand Muzz Patrick resign. He coached a rather bad team until December 1965 when the Rangers' general manager, Emile Francis decided he himself would take over as head 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.[3]

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.[4]

He died on January 19, 2019, after suffering for a number of years with Alzheimer's / dementia.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1947–48 St. Catharines Teepees OHA 2610122234 32350
1948–49 St. Catharines Teepees OHA 4632488053 564106
1949–50 St. Catharines Teepees OHA 1314152919
1949–50 Boston Bruins NHL 30110
1949–50 Hershey Bears AHL 5110304036
1950–51 Hershey Bears AHL 7028568436 61230
1950–51 Boston Bruins NHL 20002
1951–52 Boston Bruins NHL 6712122424 70000
1952–53 Boston Bruins NHL 3238118 30000
1952–53 Hershey Bears AHL 3610405018
1953–54 Hershey Bears AHL 69308911954 112794
1954–55 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 7019426151
1955–56 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 6314264058
1956–57 New York Rangers NHL 426172336 51234
1957–58 New York Rangers NHL 7011354661 10000
1958–59 New York Rangers NHL 7021426356
1959–60 New York Rangers NHL 7012253781
1960–61 New York Rangers NHL 709314066
1961–62 Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers EPHL 6116466281 71674
1962–63 Baltimore Clippers AHL 3114223625
NHL totals 557107239346441 181236

Coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPost season
GWLTPtsFinishResult
New York Rangers1962–63 3611188(56)5th in NHLMissed playoffs
New York Rangers1963–64 70223810545th in NHLMissed playoffs
New York Rangers1964–65 70203812525th in NHLMissed playoffs
New York Rangers1965–66 205105(47)6th in NHL(fired)
Pittsburgh Penguins1967–68 74273413(67)5th in WestMissed playoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins1968–69 76204511515th in WestMissed playoffs
Washington Capitals1974–75 182160(21)5th in Norris(fired)
NHL Total36410719959

References

  1. "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Red Sullivan". HHOF.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. Cohen, Russ; Halligan, John; Raider, Adam (2009). 100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters. John Wiley & Sons. p. 80. ISBN 978-0470736197. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  3. "Penguins fire Sullivan," The Associated Press, Tuesday, April 1, 1969.
  4. Washington Capitals Club History Archived 2008-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
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