Steve Sullivan

Lore & Background

Sullivan was born in Timmins, Ontario, and attended École secondaire catholique Thériault. After being cut from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds training camp, he played for the Tier II Jr. A Timmins Golden Bears in 1991–92, finishing fourth in the league with 66 goals and 121 points. He then joined the Greyhounds for the 1992–93 season, ranking sixth in team scoring despite playing on the fourth line, and was named to the OHL's second rookie all-star team.

Drafted in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils, Sullivan unexpectedly signed a two-way contract with the Devils and their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats. He led all AHL rookies in scoring by the end of 1994, was selected for the 1995 AHL All-Star Game, and helped the River Rats win the 1995 Calder Cup championship. Sullivan scored his first NHL goal in his debut on February 23, 1996, against the Montreal Canadiens.

He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 1997, then placed on waivers in October 1999 and claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks. In February 2004, he was traded to the Nashville Predators for second-round picks in the 2004 and 2005 drafts. Sullivan recorded a hat trick in his first game with the Predators and was named NHL Offensive Player of the Week for October 9–16, 2005. In February 2007, he suffered a debilitating back injury that forced him out for the remainder of that season, all of the following season, and the first half of the next season; he made his comeback on January 10, 2009, against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Roots in Timmins and the Road to the OHL

Sullivan arrived in the world on July 6, 1974, in the small Ontario town of Timmins, the son of Kenn and Louise. He grew up alongside his older brother Gary, and the two boys attended École secondaire catholique Thériault together. His path toward professional hockey was anything but linear.

After being cut from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds training camp, Sullivan dropped down to the Tier II Junior A Timmins Golden Bears for the 1991–92 campaign. He later acknowledged that the step back was the correct decision, as he simply had not been ready for Ontario Hockey League competition.

That season he exploded offensively, finishing fourth in the entire Tier II circuit with 66 goals and 121 points, which drew interest from NCAA Division I programs at Michigan Tech and Ferris State. Yet Sullivan chose to suit up for the Greyhounds in their 1992 exhibition games, a decision that cost him his collegiate eligibility. He spent the 1992–93 year on the Greyhounds' fourth line, still managing 36 goals and 27 assists to tie for second among OHL rookie scorers, and was named to the league's second rookie all-star team after the club captured the Emms Division title.

The Albany Breakout and First NHL Taste

Sullivan was selected in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, but instead of returning to the Greyhounds for his overage year, he signed a two-way deal with the club and its AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats. The Greyhounds' general manager later said losing Sullivan taught the organization a "big lesson" in planning. Sullivan made his mark in Albany quickly, recording his first professional hat-trick and ending the 1994 calendar year atop all AHL rookies in scoring with 19 goals and 21 assists.

Coach Robbie Ftorek praised his playmaking, and Devils scout David Conte called him a player who could "put points on the board." He earned a spot in the 1995 AHL All-Star Game, finished the season with 32 goals and 84 points to help Albany reach the Calder Cup playoffs, and placed second in Rookie of the Year voting. He then added nine goals and 16 assists to clinch the 1995 Calder Cup. Sullivan scored his first NHL goal on February 23, 1996, against Montreal, and credited coach Jacques Lemaire and the team's style—similar to Albany's—for his smooth transition to the big league.

A Journeyman's Tenacity Across Six Franchises

Sullivan's NHL career spanned more than 1,000 games across six franchises—the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Arizona Coyotes—making him a true journeyman of the league. His path was marked by both brilliance and struggle. After being traded to Toronto on February 25, 1997, he returned to his natural centre position between Tie Domi and Wendel Clark. Domi likened Sullivan's tenacious, physical style to that of Theoren Fleury.

Yet head coach Mike Murphy publicly expressed frustration over what he called a lack of "spark." Sullivan earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors in March after leading all rookies in scoring, but his season remained inconsistent. Over the following offseason he reviewed old game footage and openly took responsibility for his own shortcomings, saying he had wrongly blamed his coach. A reinjured hip flexor and recurring scratches during the 1998–99 season led Sullivan to voice his belief that smaller players faced bias in NHL lineups—a sentiment that underscored the physical challenges he faced throughout his career.

From "Timmins Tornado" to the Front Office

Known throughout the hockey world as the "Timmins Tornado," Sullivan carried the identity of his small Ontario hometown into every arena he entered. His nickname captured the relentless, high-energy style that defined his game—a tenacity that even star teammates like Tie Domi recognized, comparing him to the fiery Theoren Fleury. Yet the nickname also masked the personal battles he fought on and off the ice. Sullivan struggled with anxiety and confidence issues during his early NHL years, particularly after a misdiagnosed groin injury sidelined him and frequent scratches eroded his self-belief.

His short stature forced him to compete for a position on the left wing rather than his natural centre, and he spoke candidly about what he perceived as bias against smaller players in NHL lineups. Despite these obstacles, Sullivan persisted for more than a decade, logging over 1,000 NHL games across six teams. After hanging up his skates, he remained in the game, taking on coaching and executive roles with the Arizona Coyotes, the franchise where his playing career ultimately concluded.

Reader's Guide

Sullivan's career is notable for his resilience and late-round draft success. Selected in the ninth round of the 1994 draft, he exceeded expectations by playing over 1000 NHL games. His time with the Nashville Predators included a memorable debut hat trick and an Offensive Player of the Week award, but was interrupted by a severe back injury in February 2007 that sidelined him for more than a full season. His comeback in January 2009 marked a significant personal achievement.

Sullivan also represented Team Canada at the 2000 IIHF World Championship. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and executive roles with the Arizona Coyotes. His journey from being cut from an OHL training camp to a long NHL career illustrates an unconventional path to professional hockey.