There's a new coach behind the bench in Pittsburgh.
Penguins coach Mike Johnston has been firedand will be replaced byMike Sullivan,general manager Saturday. The Penguins are fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 15-10-3 record, and 14th in the league in scoring with 66 goals.
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A sistant coach Gary Agnewwas also relieved of his duties. Sullivan will be joined on the bench by a sistantsRick Tocchetand Jacques Martin.
I felt it was time for a coaching change because our team has underachieved, Rutherford said. Our expectations are much higher with this group of players.
Mike Sullivan has been a head coach and an a sistant coach in the NHL and weve been very fortunate to have him with our AHL club this season. Hes done an outstanding job in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and hes ready to step in.I want to thank Mike Johnston and Gary Agnew for their contributions to the Penguins. They are good hockey men, and we wish them all the best.
Before transitioning to coaching, Sullivan played 709NHL games over 11 seasons at center with the Sharks, Flames, Bruins andCoyotes. Considered askilled penalty killer,he accumulated 54 goals and82 a sists for136 points in addition to203 penalty minutes.
Following his retirement from the NHL in 2002,Sullivanwas named headcoach of the AHL Providence Bruinsbefore being promoted to a sistant coach with Bostonlater that season. He went 41-19-15-7 and earned a division titlein his first season as head coach with Boston during the2003-04 season but wasfired by incoming general managerPeter Chiarelli in 2006,finishinghis tenurewith a70-56-31 record.
Sullivan has since workedas ana sistant for seven straight seasons with the Lightning, Rangers and Canucks. He also served asa sistant coach for the United States at the 2006 Olympics and the 2007 World Championships.
Sullivan is set tomake his debut in Pittsburgh Monday night and willimmediately be put to the test when the Penguins host Alexander Ovechkin andthe rival Capitals.
Penguins coach Mike Johnston has been firedand will be replaced byMike Sullivan,general manager Saturday. The Penguins are fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 15-10-3 record, and 14th in the league in scoring with 66 goals.
MORE: |
A sistant coach Gary Agnewwas also relieved of his duties. Sullivan will be joined on the bench by a sistantsRick Tocchetand Jacques Martin.
I felt it was time for a coaching change because our team has underachieved, Rutherford said. Our expectations are much higher with this group of players.
Mike Sullivan has been a head coach and an a sistant coach in the NHL and weve been very fortunate to have him with our AHL club this season. Hes done an outstanding job in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and hes ready to step in.I want to thank Mike Johnston and Gary Agnew for their contributions to the Penguins. They are good hockey men, and we wish them all the best.
Before transitioning to coaching, Sullivan played 709NHL games over 11 seasons at center with the Sharks, Flames, Bruins andCoyotes. Considered askilled penalty killer,he accumulated 54 goals and82 a sists for136 points in addition to203 penalty minutes.
Following his retirement from the NHL in 2002,Sullivanwas named headcoach of the AHL Providence Bruinsbefore being promoted to a sistant coach with Bostonlater that season. He went 41-19-15-7 and earned a division titlein his first season as head coach with Boston during the2003-04 season but wasfired by incoming general managerPeter Chiarelli in 2006,finishinghis tenurewith a70-56-31 record.
Sullivan has since workedas ana sistant for seven straight seasons with the Lightning, Rangers and Canucks. He also served asa sistant coach for the United States at the 2006 Olympics and the 2007 World Championships.
Sullivan is set tomake his debut in Pittsburgh Monday night and willimmediately be put to the test when the Penguins host Alexander Ovechkin andthe rival Capitals.