New Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli fires Mike Sullivan as coach.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, June 28, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Mike Sullivan learned his fate yesterday. Peter Chiarelli, the Boston Bruins' new general manager, informed him that his services would not be needed anymore as the team's coach.

Sullivan, 38, spent four years in the Bruins' organization, including a year as coach of the Providence Bruins and the last three as bench boss in Boston. He still has one year remaining on his contract.

Chiarelli and the Bruins didn't name a successor, but it's likely the GM already has made his decision. Former Detroit Red Wings coach Dave Lewis and current Portland Pirates pilot Kevin Dineen are on the short list. An NHL source last night, however, said that Dineen was not under consideration.

Last season was a tough one for Sullivan and the Bruins, but the last few months for the former coach was just as difficult, not knowing if he would keep his job.

"The uncertainty [was the toughest part]," said the Marshfield, Mass., native. "Having said that, this job has been a dream of a lifetime; I've been a Bruins fan my whole life, growing up watching them play, and having the opportunity to coach them has just been a thrill. I never took one day for granted, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The uncertainty of knowing that could come to an end was disheartening, as well."

The conversation between Sullivan and Chiarelli yesterday wasn't an in-depth one. The new GM was matter-of-fact with the information Sullivan has been patiently waiting to here. Now that he knows his status he can get on with his life and his career. He wasn't critical -- even though he probably deserved to be -- over having been kept in limbo the last two months.

"Peter had not met Mike prior to coming to Boston, and he felt that it was incumbent upon him to get to know Mike before making a decision on the coaching situation," said interim GM Jeff Gorton. "Mike went to Ottawa a couple of weeks ago and they had a good discussion about the game and how it needed to be played in order to have success. Peter advised Mike that he would be talking to other candidates. He went through that process, and his decision was that at this time we are better served to have a clean slate.

"Peter communicated to us that he has talked to candidates, and expects to give us his decision on a new head coach in the near future."

Right now, Sullivan has no plans, and he'll take some time to assess his situation before making a decision on his future.

"I do know one thing," he said. "I love to coach. I love being at the rink every day, and that's something I would like to get back to as soon as possible."

During his tenure as a player and a coach, Sullivan always conducted himself in a professional manner, and took his job very seriously. He always was the first to arrive at the rink and the last to leave, especially last season, when he tried desperately to correct a problem that probably was not of his making.

The Bruins entered the post-lockout season with $37 million to spend under a $39-millon salary cap, but GM Mike O'Connell grossly erred in the players they signed, and the result was a subpar product on the ice.

One of Sullivan's strong points is his ability to interact with the young players, not only on the Bruins, but throughout the organization. He was instrumental in the development of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Hannu Toivonen, Andrew Raycroft (in Providence) and the rest of the young core of prospects in the organization.

"Sully is a great coach, and I learned a lot from him," said Bergeron. "He showed a lot of confidence in me to take me on the team my first year, and I appreciate that. I owe him a lot. Maybe I wouldn't be here if Sully didn't take me on the team. Obviously, I wish him all the best in anything he does."

The veterans on the club, including Tom Fitzgerald, respected Sullivan for his professionalism and ability to communicate. But it was the young guys Sullivan grew close to.

"He was an awesome coach," said Boyes. "He gave me a chance to play, and he was easy to talk to. He was really good with the young guys. It's tough because we had such a rough year, and it's unfortunate."

Entering training camp, the young players knew exactly where they stood with Sullivan. Basically, if you earned and deserved an opportunity, he gave it to you.

"The one thing I found the most rewarding was watching the players respond to your message and whatever you're teaching. To watch these guys grow into adults and into the types of players is the most rewarding part of the job. I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the players I've worked with over the last couple of years. They are a lot of quality people, as well as players. The thing I'm going to miss the most is working with those guys on a daily basis," Sullivan said.

The first time O'Connell introduced Sullivan as the coach of the P-Bruins, it was clear that he was destined for Boston. Under O'Connell, that obviously happened, but Chiarelli wants to start with a clean slate.

"The Boston fans are passionate fans," said Sullivan. "It's a double-edged sword, in a sense, because when you win they love you. When you lose, they can be critical, but it is only because they are rooting for their team to win. I wouldn't want it any other way."

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340