Mike Sullivan, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was officially introduced as the 38th head coach in Rangers history on Thursday morning.
“It’s an incredible honor to be the head coach of such a storied franchise, an Original Six team, a team that has such deep history and such a passionate fan base,” Sullivan said. “It’s hard not to get excited about being the head coach of an organization like this.”
“Having been on an opposing team’s bench and playing against the Rangers inside the division for all these years, I’ve grown a ton of respect for the players that are in that room and the talent that they have,” the 57-year-old added. “The opportunity to work with a group like that certainly excites me.”
As the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sullivan hoisted back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, leading Pittsburgh to the playoffs in each of his first seven seasons at the helm.
After missing the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, though, Sullivan and the Penguins parted ways.
That’s where Rangers GM Chris Drury pounced on the opportunity to bring Sullivan to New York.
“I truly believe Mike is a premier coach in the National Hockey League. His resume, both in the NHL and in international play, speaks for itself,” Drury said. “The second Mike was available, we quickly and aggressively pursued him, and we’re certainly thrilled that that pursuit led us to this moment today. There’s a lot of work to be done, and I’m very excited to be partnered with Mike as we collectively try to achieve our goals here in New York.”
Sullivan earned his first NHL head coaching job in 2003 with Boston, and he’d coach the Bruins for two seasons. He then spent some time as an assistant coach for a handful of NHL teams, including the Rangers, with whom he worked as an assistant with John Tortorella until landing the Penguins’ top job.
And while he has experience coaching and playing in Madison Square Garden, standing behind the bench as the Rangers head coach is something he certainly doesn’t take for granted.
“I had the privilege of coaching here as an assistant coach, as you guys know, 15 years ago, and I’ve had the privilege of coaching here as an opposing team here at Madison Square Garden,” Sullivan said. “We played these guys in the playoffs a few years ago. I don’t know that there’s a more electric building in the league than Madison Square Garden. It really is a privilege to play in that building, regardless of which bench you’re on. But I can only anticipate what it would be like to be behind the Rangers bench as the head coach. It’s an incredible honor. This is one of the more passionate fanbases in the league, and I look forward to that moment.”