July 16, 2009

Former Boston University standout Mike Sullivan was named assistant coach of the the New York Rangers on Thursday. Sullivan, who was an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past two seasons, will be reunited with former Lightning head coach John Tortorella, who is entering his first full season in the Rangers' head post.

Sullivan, who was originally drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, played for the Terriers from 1986-90 before going on to play 709 games in 11 NHL seasons. He served as head coach of the Boston Bruins for two seasons (2003-04, 2005-06) after being promoted from his head coaching position for the AHL's Providence Bruins.

Sullivan joins a Ranger organization that will enter the year with both of BU's Hobey Baker winners on its roster, as Chris Drury is entering his second year as the Rangers' captain and Matt Gilroy signed a free-agent deal with the club just one week after leading BU to its fifth national title this past April.

Click here to read the Rangers' press release regarding Sullivan's hiring.