The New York Rangers have a new man behind the bench. On May 2, 2025, the franchise announced Mike Sullivan as their 38th head coach, a move that sent ripples through the hockey world just days after his exit from Pittsburgh. Sullivan, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, steps into the role with a hefty contract—rumored to be among the richest in NHL history—signaling the Rangers’ all-in bet on his gritty, proven leadership.
Sullivan’s hiring comes fast on the heels of his April 28 dismissal from the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he coached for nine seasons. There, he led the team to back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, cementing his rep as a tactician who thrives under pressure. The Rangers, hungry for their first Cup since 1994, see Sullivan as the guy to steer a talented roster through the brutal gauntlet of the NHL playoffs. His no-nonsense style—think clipboard in one hand, fire in the other—meshes with New York’s hard-edged hockey faithful.
The announcement, made official on May 2, ends weeks of speculation about the Rangers’ coaching vacancy. Sullivan’s name had swirled in hockey circles, with contract talks reportedly heating up by late April. The deal, finalized swiftly, underscores the urgency at Madison Square Garden to get this right. Sullivan inherits a squad stacked with stars like Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin, but one that’s stumbled in recent postseasons. His task: turn potential into hardware.
Before Pittsburgh, Sullivan coached the Boston Bruins from 2003 to 2005 and held assistant roles with several NHL teams. His career win percentage stands at .614, with 429 regular-season victories. The Rangers’ front office, led by president and general manager Chris Drury, stayed mum on contract details, but sources confirm it’s a multi-year pact designed to keep Sullivan on Broadway for the long haul.
Sullivan’s first practice is slated for early next week, with the team gearing up for the 2025-26 season. Fans are already buzzing, some scrawling “Sully’s House” on homemade signs outside the Garden. For now, the focus is on the ice, where Sullivan’s intense drills and sharp game plans will face their first test.
The Rangers open their season on October 9 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sullivan was born on February 27, 1968, in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He played 709 NHL games as a forward before coaching.