Hockey season is on the way, and a former member of the Soo Greyhounds has secured himself a job behind the bench of the Toronto Marlies.
Steve Sullivan is the new assistant coach of the AHL team, the Marlies announced today.
The 50-year-old from Timmins played for the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds before heading off to an NHL career that saw him play 1,011 regular season games and 50 playoff games in the NHL. He netted 290 goals and 457 assists.
Sullivan played two seasons with the Greyhounds, including as a rookie during the organization’s Memorial Cup title run in 1992-93.
On the Memorial Cup team, Sullivan scored 36 goals and 63 points in 62 regular season games. After scoring three goals and 11 points in 16 playoff games, Sullivan scored his lone goal of the Memorial Cup in the tournament-clinching 4-2 decision over the Peterborough Petes in the tournament final.
Prior to embarking on his pro career, Sullivan returned to the Greyhounds and led the team in scoring during the 1993-94 season with 113 points. His 51 goals that season were second on the team.
In the 1994 NHL draft, he was picked up in the ninth round by the New Jersey Devils. During his career he also suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes.
After hanging up his skates, Sullivan was the assistant general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2017 to 2021, where he oversaw the club’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. He also worked with Arizona’s player development team as a coach and served as a director for a season.
The Marlies are the main development team for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Sullivan is joining John Gruden’s coaching staff, which also includes assistant Michael Dyck, goaltending coach Hannu Toivonen, and video coach Troy Paquette.
