Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan, Former BU Standout, Next Inductee Into Beanpot Hall Of Fame

Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan, Former BU Standout, Next Inductee Into Beanpot Hall Of Fame.

Boston — Mike Sullivan, the current Pittsburgh Penguins coach and a former Boston University great, will be inducted into the Men’s Beanpot Hall of Fame. The announcement was made Monday during Beanpot media day at TD Garden.

Sullivan, who is in his sixth season as Penguins head coach, will be inducted during the Beanpot final on February 12.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Sullivan stated on Monday. “My time at BU was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a hockey player. I was lucky enough to play in the NHL for several years before moving on to coach there. And this one rates among the highlights of my hockey career.”

Sullivan, who grew up in Marshfield, Mass. and attended Boston College High School before BU, won two Beanpots with the Terriers. A captain for the 1989-90 team that eventually reached the Frozen Four, Sullivan fondly recalled how BU never played in a Beanpot consolation game during his tenure.

After his college career, Sullivan spent 11 seasons in the NHL. He began his career with the San Jose Sharks (1991-1994) and went on to play with the Calgary Flames (1994-1997), Boston Bruins (1997-98), and Phoenix Coyotes (1998-2002).

Sullivan began his NHL coaching career with the Bruins in 2003. In 164 career games, Sullivan guided the Black and Gold to a 70-56-15 record. Sullivan took over the Penguins in 2015 and led the team to consecutive Stanley Cup victories in his first two seasons.

“We were able to win the Stanley Cup a couple of times in Pittsburgh and that might be the pinnacle of what I’ve been able to experience in hockey, but to be mentioned and honored as an inductee into the Beanpot Hall of Fame, for me it’s a humbling experience,” he added.

“It’s certainly exciting to be in the company of some of the finest college hockey players that have come through Boston, because there have been a lot of really outstanding players in this tournament, and some of them are sitting here right now. So, perhaps, one of you will be sitting up here with me eventually.”

The 55-year-old Sullivan, who concluded his career at BU with 61 goals and 77 assists, has coached 799 games for the Penguins and Bruins.

NESN will broadcast the entire 71st annual Dunkin’ Donuts Beanpot event. The tournament begins on February 5 at 5 p.m. ET, with reigning champion Northeastern against Harvard, followed by the semifinal nightcap at 8 p.m. ET between Boston College and Boston University. Follow along for Beanpot coverage before the tournament here.

Read more on https://sportupdates.co.uk/

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*