The Maple Leafs have brought on Steve Sullivan as an assistant coach for their AHL team, the Toronto Marlies.
Sullivan, now 50, has been involved in hockey management since he retired from playing in 2013. He started with the Coyotes as a development coach and climbed up to director of player development by 2016. A year later, he became assistant general manager.
He continued in that role until February 2021 when his contract ended. For a short period in 2020, he even served as the interim GM after John Chayka left suddenly.
Since then, Sullivan stayed around Phoenix and coached U-16 and U-18 Jr. Coyotes teams for four years. This new job marks his first time coaching at the professional level . As a player, Sullivan was unique; despite being only 5’9” and 165 lbs., he excelled during the dead puck era as a top-tier two-way winger. Over his 16 NHL seasons with teams like the Predators, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Devils, Penguins, and Coyotes, he played in 1,011 regular-season games and racked up impressive stats: 290 goals and 457 assists totaling to 747 points.
Steve Sullivan’s Journey:
Toronto picked up Sullivan from New Jersey back in 1997 in exchange for Doug Gilmour. While with the Leafs, he scored 85 points over 154 games but was surprisingly placed on waivers early in the ’99-’00 season. The Blackhawks claimed him where he shined as a first-line player setting career-highs with 34 goals and 75 points.
Fans might be excited about this news because it shows how much experience is coming to their team’s coaching staff.
Joining head coach John Gruden on the Marlies’ bench are assistant Michael Dyck, goalie coach Hannu Toivonen, and video coach Troy Paquette. Last season under Gruden’s leadership saw them achieve a record of 34-26-12 but they fell out early in the Calder Cup Playoffs finishing fifth in their division.
So what do you think? Will this new addition help improve their game?
