Mike Sullivan announced as new head coach of WBS Penguins

Mike Sullivan announced as new head coach of WBS Penguins

The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins announced their new coach on Thursday, shortly after rumours of him being offered the job emerged. Sullivan is 47 years old but has 13 years of coaching experience alongside a nine year playing career. During his playing career he enjoyed a long NHL career with over 700 games ending up with 136 points.

Sullivan retired in 2002 after spending his final season with the Phoenix Coyotes were he scored 3 points in 42 games. He wasn't out of the game for long after being appointed the head coach of the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League. He only spent a season with the Bruins in the AHL for 71 games. During his time there he had a 67% win percentage.

He moved up to the Bruins during the 2002-03 season to become an assistant before being given the coaching job for two seasons. In his two seasons with the Bruins he coached them for 164 games and won 70 games, a 43% win percentage. Since being released from the Bruins he has been an assistant 3 NHL teams in the Lightning, Rangers and Canucks and also spent time with USA Hockey. Jason Botterill was quoted as saying;

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the Penguins’ organization,” said Botterill. “Mike adds a wealth of experience thanks to his many successful years coaching in the NHL and AHL, and with USA Hockey. We believe he will do a great job developing our prospects to prepare them for the jump to the NHL.”

It will be a big job to replace Hynes and he will have to bring his assistants to help him with Nasreddine following Hynes to the Devils. His record in the AHL is positive and with NHL experience he should be able to help players with their development. The Penguins have a long play-off streak going and one of the aims will be to keep that going.