New York Rangers GM Chris Drury reveals reasoning behind selecting Mike Sullivan as head coach
The long-awaited hiring of Mike Sullivan as the head coach of the New York Rangers finally took place last week and general manager Chris Drury cannot be any happier.
Both men share a long history together as it began in 1997 when jury was invited to play for Team USA and then NHL player Mike Sullivan sat with him on a bus.
Drury and Sullivan have worked and played together for many years
"I'm scared out of my mind," Drury recalled. "'Am I good enough to be here? Should I be here? I'm in college.' On comes Mike Sullivan and sits down next to me and spends the hour bus ride to the rink with me, talking to me about my life at BU and what my goals are. To me, that's a little bit of a sense of what I've thought about him for a long time." - Chris Drury
This 30 year relationship between both men has grown and has worked together even when Drury was assistant general manager of Team USA as Sullivan was their head coach.
Sullivan was also an assistant coach for the Rangers back in 2009 when Drury was the captain of the team. Drury spoke with admiration up his new hire and feels that he is the right person to lead the Rangers.
"I truly believe Mike's a premier coach in the National Hockey League," Drury said. "The second Mike was available, we quickly and aggressively pursued him. We're certainly thrilled that pursuit led us to this moment." Chris Drury
Rangers paid a high price to bring Sullivan back to New York
Sullivan's new contract was not fully disclosed after he was hired but inside sources throughout the NHS and the Rangers have reported that he is now the highest paid coach in the NHL on a dollars per year basis.
He also signed a five year contract with the Rangers Which showed the loyalty and the confidence Drury and ownership had with Sullivan's hiring.
Sullivan spoke of his time with Pittsburgh and have hope that he could bring the success he had in Pittsburgh to the Rangers.
"We had some successes there during my time, and I have that experience to draw on - what that looks like - and I hope to bring that to this group here in New York," Sullivan said. "We also had disappointments. It's hard to win in this league, and it takes more than talent."
"As I say to the players all the time, nothing is inevitable in this game," he added. "You've got to go and earn it every day, and that's what we're going to do." Mike Sullivan
"As I say to the players all the time, nothing is inevitable in this game," he added. "You've got to go and earn it every day, and that's what we're going to do." Mike Sullivan
With his hiring completed, the Rangers now will focus on the draft which is up and coming in June and also prepare for free agency as Drury expects to make major
changes to the roster prior to next year's training camp.
changes to the roster prior to next year's training camp.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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MAI 9 | 1180 ANSWERS New York Rangers GM Chris Drury reveals reasoning behind selecting Mike Sullivan as head coach Do you think that Mike Sullivan will help the Rangers win the Stanley Cup? | ||
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