Shell
09-29-2003, 09:08 PM
Sullivan: 'I don't dipsy-doodle, I bang and crash'
By DAVID PEVEAR, Sun Staff
STONEHAM Livening up the place is Dan Sullivan's great hockey talent.
He is damn near a Gretzky at it, minus the greatness of touch.
Lock Monsters coach Ron Smith was struck by Sullivan's nuclear energy when the 6-foot-2, 230-pound banger played for Lowell last season after being pulled up from the East Coast Hockey League.
"He brought some fun and enthusiasm to the whole scene," said Smith. Considering the Lock Monsters finished with the AHL's worst record (19-51-7-3, 48 pts.), fun and enthusiasm were as scarce as goals and assists.
The high hopes for a new Lock Monsters season are about to take off. Last night Sullivan scored an unassisted goal and engaged in lengthy fisticuffs with former Hockey East penalty leader Brendan Walsh as the Lock Monsters defeated the Providence Bruins 2-1 in their exhibition opener before 1,500 fans at Stoneham Arena on Nancy Kerrigan Way.
The sign on the wall proclaims this to be the proud home of Kerrigan, a former Olympic silver-medalist figure skater who would detect few toe-loops in Sullivan's game.
"I'm not a fancy guy," said Sullivan, 22, a native of Weston, Ont., who had 8 goals and 116 penalty minutes in 51 games as a first-year pro with three teams last season. "I don't dipsy-doodle. I bang and crash and try to get things to the net. I think (my goal) went in the top left corner."
With the Monsters trailing 1-0 in the second period, Sullivan plastered Providence defenseman Ed Campbell against the backboards. He then motored on and got the uncleared puck near the blue line, circled into the middle and beat Hannu Toivonen through a screen at 1:34 of the second period.
Brett Lysak, wearing the captain's C for the Monsters, scored the winning goal on the power play at 19:20 of the second period.
"It was a hard-working, slam-bang, intense game. One of the better ones I've seen for this time of year," said Smith, who watched from the stands while assistant Tom Rowe and Florida Everblades coach Gerry Fleming handled the bench.
The joy with which Sullivan plays hides sorrow in his considerable heart. His father, also Dan, lived a self-destructive biker's life and was never around to watch his son play. Sullivan's father suffered numerous heart attacks and cirrhosis of the liver before he died this summer. Sullivan now feels his father's spirit supporting him as he chases his dream of playing in the NHL.
"I'm not ashamed of my dad," he said. "He lived his life the way he wanted. But if it wasn't for my mom (Joanne) being the better half and raising me, my biggest opportunity wouldn't be ahead of me right now."
Sullivan, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect, was a big hit with his huge hits during the NHL rookie camp in Calgary. He is a strong candidate to still be a lively Lock Monster when Lowell's season opens Oct. 10.
"I was never drafted. I don't have a big contract," said Sullivan. "But I hope there's always room for guys like me. I bring energy. I do what it takes."
Sullivan also plays for all the kids in the Pro-Bound Hockey Program in Toronto, where he teaches five weeks during the summer. In those kids he sees himself at their age.
"And it's amazing what you can do on the ice when somebody gives you a pat on the back," said Sullivan, who is getting that pat from Wilson, Rowe and Fleming. "This is the first pat on the back I've had since minor hockey. I love being a part of this team."
By DAVID PEVEAR, Sun Staff
STONEHAM Livening up the place is Dan Sullivan's great hockey talent.
He is damn near a Gretzky at it, minus the greatness of touch.
Lock Monsters coach Ron Smith was struck by Sullivan's nuclear energy when the 6-foot-2, 230-pound banger played for Lowell last season after being pulled up from the East Coast Hockey League.
"He brought some fun and enthusiasm to the whole scene," said Smith. Considering the Lock Monsters finished with the AHL's worst record (19-51-7-3, 48 pts.), fun and enthusiasm were as scarce as goals and assists.
The high hopes for a new Lock Monsters season are about to take off. Last night Sullivan scored an unassisted goal and engaged in lengthy fisticuffs with former Hockey East penalty leader Brendan Walsh as the Lock Monsters defeated the Providence Bruins 2-1 in their exhibition opener before 1,500 fans at Stoneham Arena on Nancy Kerrigan Way.
The sign on the wall proclaims this to be the proud home of Kerrigan, a former Olympic silver-medalist figure skater who would detect few toe-loops in Sullivan's game.
"I'm not a fancy guy," said Sullivan, 22, a native of Weston, Ont., who had 8 goals and 116 penalty minutes in 51 games as a first-year pro with three teams last season. "I don't dipsy-doodle. I bang and crash and try to get things to the net. I think (my goal) went in the top left corner."
With the Monsters trailing 1-0 in the second period, Sullivan plastered Providence defenseman Ed Campbell against the backboards. He then motored on and got the uncleared puck near the blue line, circled into the middle and beat Hannu Toivonen through a screen at 1:34 of the second period.
Brett Lysak, wearing the captain's C for the Monsters, scored the winning goal on the power play at 19:20 of the second period.
"It was a hard-working, slam-bang, intense game. One of the better ones I've seen for this time of year," said Smith, who watched from the stands while assistant Tom Rowe and Florida Everblades coach Gerry Fleming handled the bench.
The joy with which Sullivan plays hides sorrow in his considerable heart. His father, also Dan, lived a self-destructive biker's life and was never around to watch his son play. Sullivan's father suffered numerous heart attacks and cirrhosis of the liver before he died this summer. Sullivan now feels his father's spirit supporting him as he chases his dream of playing in the NHL.
"I'm not ashamed of my dad," he said. "He lived his life the way he wanted. But if it wasn't for my mom (Joanne) being the better half and raising me, my biggest opportunity wouldn't be ahead of me right now."
Sullivan, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect, was a big hit with his huge hits during the NHL rookie camp in Calgary. He is a strong candidate to still be a lively Lock Monster when Lowell's season opens Oct. 10.
"I was never drafted. I don't have a big contract," said Sullivan. "But I hope there's always room for guys like me. I bring energy. I do what it takes."
Sullivan also plays for all the kids in the Pro-Bound Hockey Program in Toronto, where he teaches five weeks during the summer. In those kids he sees himself at their age.
"And it's amazing what you can do on the ice when somebody gives you a pat on the back," said Sullivan, who is getting that pat from Wilson, Rowe and Fleming. "This is the first pat on the back I've had since minor hockey. I love being a part of this team."