Penguins Share an Emotional Tribute to Mike Sullivan in His Return to Pittsburgh
Photo credit: NHL.com
Tonight, former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan returned for the first time as a visitor with the New York Rangers and was met by a touching tribute.
The Pittsburgh Penguins this summer made the surprising decision to part ways with head coach Mike Sullivan hiring Dan Muse to take his place.
In the aftermath of being fired, Sullivan found himself another role quickly being hired by the New York Rangers as their head coach.
Sullivan got the opportunity to face his former team for the first time a few nights ago when the Penguins visited New York.
Tonight, Sullivan returned to Pittsburgh for the first time this time as the visitor.
During the first period, Sullivan was met with an emotional and heartfelt tribute.
Penguins Give Mike Sullivan a Heartfelt Tribute in His Return to Pittsburgh
Early in the first period of the game in PPG Paints Arena the Penguins played a full tribute video for Mike Sullivan who led the team to two Stanley Cups during his tenure as head coach.
Once the video ended, the Penguins then gave Sullivan a standing ovation to make sure he knew that he was always appreciated and welcomed in Pittsburgh.
After seeing the video and hearing the crowd, Sullivan became clearly emotional as he took in the love and appreciation from the Penguins crowd.
Sullivan during his tenure as the Penguins head coach spent 10 seasons with the team and despite the end of his tenure being lackluster he was also responsible for some of the best teams and moments in franchise history for Pittsburgh.
After the tribute, the focus went back to the on-ice play and Sullivan once again became the opponent that Penguins fans were rooting against.
