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	December 24, 1929 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Died	January 19, 2019 (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	1949–1961

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 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		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1947–48	St. Catharines Teepees	OHA		26	10	12	22	34		3	2	3	5	0
1948–49	St. Catharines Teepees	OHA		46	32	48	80	53		5	6	4	10	6
1949–50	St. Catharines Teepees	OHA		13	14	15	29	19		—	—	—	—	—
1949–50	Boston Bruins	NHL		3	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
1949–50	Hershey Bears	AHL		51	10	30	40	36		—	—	—	—	—
1950–51	Hershey Bears	AHL		70	28	56	84	36		6	1	2	3	0
1950–51	Boston Bruins	NHL		—	—	—	—	—		2	0	0	0	2
1951–52	Boston Bruins	NHL		67	12	12	24	24		7	0	0	0	0
1952–53	Boston Bruins	NHL		32	3	8	11	8		3	0	0	0	0
1952–53	Hershey Bears	AHL		36	10	40	50	18		—	—	—	—	—
1953–54	Hershey Bears	AHL		69	30	89	119	54		11	2	7	9	4
1954–55	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		70	19	42	61	51		—	—	—	—	—
1955–56	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		63	14	26	40	58		—	—	—	—	—
1956–57	New York Rangers	NHL		42	6	17	23	36		5	1	2	3	4
1957–58	New York Rangers	NHL		70	11	35	46	61		1	0	0	0	0
1958–59	New York Rangers	NHL		70	21	42	63	56		—	—	—	—	—
1959–60	New York Rangers	NHL		70	12	25	37	81		—	—	—	—	—
1960–61	New York Rangers	NHL		70	9	31	40	66		—	—	—	—	—
1961–62	Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers	EPHL		61	16	46	62	81		7	1	6	7	4
1962–63	Baltimore Clippers	AHL		31	14	22	36	25		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				557	107	239	346	441		18	1	2	3	6

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

References

1. George Sullivan biography at Legends of Hockey. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
2. Cohen, Russ; Halligan, John; Raider, Adam (2009). 100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0470736194. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
3. "Penguins fire Sullivan," The Associated Press, Tuesday, April 1, 1969.
4. Washington Capitals Club History Archived 2008-08-26 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database