Doug Sulliman spent many hours on the backyard rink his father maintained in his hometown of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Hockey was the dominant sport in industrial Cape Breton and the young Sulliman had influences such as former NHL players Paul Andrea and Leo Amadio.

Sulliman was 16 years old when he was scouted and drafted by the Kitchener Rangers coach Mac MacLean. He impressively collected 88 goals and 204 points in his two years with Kitchener before being the 13th overall draft pick by the New York Rangers in 1979. Sulliman scored 160 goals and 328 points throughout the 631 NHL games he played with the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers and Philadelphia Flyers.

He retired in 1990 due to the damage it was causing to his right knee. During his time with the Devils, Sulliman was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. Doug Sulliman was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1993.