Thursday, March 28, 2013

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes forward Steve Sullivan will play in his 1,000th career NHL game tonight when the Coyotes face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Game time is 5:00 p.m. Arizona time and can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona Plus.

Photo by Norm Hall.

Sullivan will become only the 285th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000 game milestone, and only the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 1,000 game plateau (Adrian Aucoin, Shane Doan, Ed Jovanovski, Derek Morris & Teppo Numminen). Active NHL players to hit the 1,000 game mark previously this season include Marian Hossa (Chicago) and Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia).

“On behalf of the entire Phoenix Coyotes organization, I would like to congratulate Steve on reaching this significant milestone,” said Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney. “Steve is a true professional who is respected across the League and by his teammates for his passion for the game of hockey and his dedication to our sport.”

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Sullivan was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils (9th round, 233rd overall) in the 1994 Entry Draft. In 16 NHL seasons with New Jersey, Toronto, Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Phoenix, the 38-year-old native of Timmins, Ontario has recorded 288-454-742 and 583 penalty minutes (PIM) in 999 career NHL games. Sullivan has also appeared in 50 career Stanley Cup playoff games registering 9-14-23 and 30 PIM. Among active NHL players who have reached the 1,000 game milestone, Sullivan currently ranks 19th in points (742), 17th in goals (288) and 19th in assists with 454.

Sullivan’s best season came during the 2000-01 campaign with the Blackhawks when he set career highs in goals (34) and points (75). In 2009 with the Predators, Sullivan won the Bill Masterton Trophy which is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Sullivan has recorded eight career hat tricks in his career and has scored 20 or more goals eight times, and collected 30 or more assists nine times. He has also registered 50 or more points eight times. He collected a career high 49 assists with Chicago and Nashville in 2003-04.

In international competition, Sullivan has represented Team Canada on two occasions at the IIHF World Championships. He made his international debut as an assistant captain at the IIHF World Championships in Russia in 2000 where he tied for second in the tournament with three power-play goals and posted 4-1-5 in 9 games.



EDITOR'S NOTE: Click here to see Sullivan's career stats.