Phoenix Coyotes forward Steve Sullivan will play in his 1,000th career NHL game Friday night against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The game, which starts at 5 p.m. can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona Plus.
Sullivan will become only the 285th player in NHL history and the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 1,000-game milestone. The others: Adrian Aucoin, Shane Doan, Ed Jovanovski, Derek Morris and Teppo Numminen.
“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 in the ninth round of 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 goals and 454 assists. Sullivan also has appeared in 50 career Stanley Cup playoff games, registering nine goals and 14 assists. Among active NHL players who have reached the 1,000-game milestone, Sullivan currently ranks 19th in points (742), 17th in goals and 19th in assists.
Sullivan played with the Predators in 2009, when he 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.
