GLENDALE, ARIZ. – The Timmins Tornado continues to pick up steam.
The Arizona Coyotes and general manager John Chayka announced in a press release Thursday that the club has signed Timmins native Steve Sullivan to a multi-year contract to serve as the team’s assistant general manager.
“Steve has done an excellent job in his role as our director of player development and he is very deserving of this promotion,” said Chayka, who is married to a woman from Timmins.
“Steve is a Coyotes alumni who has played over 1,000 games in the NHL. He offers a unique and important perspective to our staff. I’m confident that he’s ready to take on this new role with increased responsibilities and I look forward to working with him.”
Chris O’Hearn will continue to serve as the Coyotes’ assistant general manager/hockey operations. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Sullivan, 42, joined the Coyotes’ hockey operations department on Sept. 8, 2014 as the team’s development coach. On May, 26, 2016, he was promoted to director of player development. In his new role, Sullivan will serve as the general manager for the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) in addition to overseeing the Coyotes’ amateur player development staff.
“I’m very excited about my new role with the Coyotes,” said Sullivan. “I’m very grateful to John for his belief in me and look forward to helping him build a winning team in the Valley for years to come. We have a great nucleus of young, talented players in our organization and an extremely bright future ahead.”
Prior to joining the Coyotes’ front office, Sullivan played 16 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Coyotes.
He totalled 290 goals, 457 assists for 747 points in 1,011 career NHL games. He also recorded nine goals, 14 helpers and 23 points in 50 career Stanley Cup Playoff matches.
Sullivan played 33 contests with the Coyotes in 2012-13 and appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game on March 28, 2013 against Nashville.
In 2009, after recovering from numerous debilitating back injuries that required surgery, Sullivan was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is awarded each year to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Sullivan became the first player in Predators history to win an NHL award.
Sullivan continues to return home to Timmins every summer, in large part to help organize and take part in the annual Molson Lever-Sullivan Golf Classic at Hollinger Golf Club. He has won the event multiple times in the past along with his brother Gary.