An Interesting Sidebar?

[G105]

When the LA Kings were in town on 2/13, there was a little known story unfolding on the ice. Patrick O'Sullivan, a center/RW player for the visitors played about 17 minutes, had one hit, 2 PIM, and was 1-2 on faceoffs. So what you ask. Well, let me digress.

I'm reading a book that Mrs. G105 gave me titled "The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told." It's a compilation of hockey stories edited by Bryant Urstadt. And not the usual "game I'll never forget." It's about the human side of hockey.

So last night I got to the chapter titled "Damage Control." It's about Patrick O'Sullivan. Turns out that Patrick was born and started skating in Winston-Salem. I guess that makes him the only NHL player born in the state. His father apparently used him as an alter ego and physically abused him from childhood through his teen years. The father was imprisoned, restrained by a judge from visiting his son, etc., it's a sad story. After moving to Toronto and then back to W-S, he was drafted in the second round by the Wild in '03 and ended up in LA. At last report, both of Patrick's parents were living (separately) in W-S.

This aspect of the hockey world makes you realize that there is a human side to every player on the ice. I wish I had paid more attention to him that night. I highly recommend the book.

[toastmasterbone]

Agreed, it's a riveting and terribly sad story. Prior to the 2003 draft, lots of us thought that JR might pick up the kid if he dropped to the fourth round (we had #1 [Staal] and first pick of the second round [Danny Richmond], then nothing in round 3).

I'm sure StormShaman will be here shortly to tear John O'Sullivan a new one.

I found an old read on this HERE (http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/whoselifeisit/story.html).

[SoCalcaniac]

I was in Nashville for the Eric Staal draft in 2003 and know a bit about Patrick's story and sat intrigued as to where he would end up on draft day; I remember reading a story in THN and the CP about John O'Sullivan and his abusive self, and then saw a spot on TV about some of the draftees when we got to NSH (that Thursday before the Saturday draft) we stayed at one of the 'host' hotels which was the Millenium which had a seemingly high amount of security,and nobody really answering questions as to 'why' there were so many official looking people walking around; I just chalked it up to NSH being very security conscious. there were tons of plain clothes cops in addtiion to the hotel security; when we went to several of the events downtown by the arena, we were told that there were offiicials in the NHL offices 'concerned' for a draftee. On that Saturday , draft day, we get to the Gaylord EC, and the 'buzz' around the entire arena was that they were expecting trouble, and that O'Sullivan's father was on the loose. His mother, and sister were visable to us with Nashville police officers providing escort. I was dumbfounded and beside myself. one of the ushers had a picture of Mr. O'Sullivan distributed by the arena security heads, and they were all instructed to keep an 'eye out' for him- he was allowed in the arena, since there was no protective order of any kind, and apparently it was his wish to taunt young Patrick. which he did as he continued to slip down in the draft order . He was projected to go higher than when the wild picked him as Toast indicated.

The local sports station got wind of the story and talked about it at length, I'm happy for Patrick that he's made the long road to the NHL; I had read in the LA times before our game vs the Kings, that the Kings believed he would be 'in the building'. Chuck K mentioned that people from WInston Salem's youth hockey org were there to support Patrick- and I did see alot of their jerseys in the building that night. Really a sad story all around. But in the end, the kid is living his dream, and his father is whatever he is. He apparently lives in NC.

G105 - I got that book for Xmas- great read. O'Sullivan's story came right back up for me all over again.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I remember his story from the draft, too. I've been watching him since then, glad to see him enjoying some success.

[StormShaman]

He apparently lives in NC.

He lives right down the road in Winston-Salem, and he's the reason why the 'Canes wouldn't even touch him.

It's sad, cos I wanted the local boy to play for the local team--but it's just better this way.


(and don't get me started on his dad (again)--sorry Toast.)

[G105]

After reading Toastmaster's link to the O'Sullivan story, I've learned a lot more about Patrick. What a sad story. But in the interviews with him, it seems like he has his head screwed on in the right direction. Can't say the same thing for his father.

Hopefuly Patrick has gotten the support he needed (deserved) to overcome the terrible events during his youth. I wish him the very best. Just wish I had read that chapter BEFORE the Kings game; I think I would have had a different perspective on him. Thanks for the personal insight, SC.

[puck_it]

^agree with everything you said

[G105]

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?page=ThreeStarsPage&service=page

[Caniac]

This is one of those stories where the kid makes good and the father never will. He'll fade away one day and nobody will remember him. As for Patrick, I hope he enjoys a great amount of success. Maybe he'll be in the HOF one day.

[puck_it]

good on O'Sullivan!

[corylav]

Kid's immensely talented ... he's lost in the shuffle some b/c of all of L.A.'s young offensive talent, but from what I've read this year, he was able to not really reinvent himself, but rather establish himself as a solid defensive forward. Couple that with the offensive skills that are oozing out of him, and he's well on his way, IMO, to being one of the better two-way forwards in the game.

We'll be hearing more and more good things out of him down the line.

[StormShaman]

And if Asshat Dad shows up and tries to cause trouble, I hope the LAPD Rodney Kings his ass.

Just sayin'.

[cmw00]

How much time did he actually spend living in WS?

[puck_it]

very little IIRC

[cmw00]

Thats what I figured since his birthplace is listed as Toronto on NHLPA.com... That and WS has turned out so many good hockey players! :lol:

[StormShaman]

He was born in WS and lived there until he was 5.

[G105]

From something I read somewhere, I think he was actually born in Toronto. A few days before he arrived, his parents had gone up there on a visit when his mom went into labor. FWIW, the Kings web site lists his birthplace as W-S and I believe his divorced parents still live there. Sort of like Craig Adams being listed as being being born in Brunei. but he was raised in Alberta, IIRC. BTW, the link I posted changes each day, so don't get confused.

[SoCalcaniac]

All the accounts I've read were that O'Sullivan was born in W-S where his mother is from; and there is no way on earth his divorced parents are in the W-S area together, up until when Patrick was drafted there was a restraining order on the nutjob father, and he went to jail in Canada for some violations- and he's Canadian so I imagine he is back up there. At one point the mom and sister were in hiding because the family was afraid of him. No way does anyone want to be in the same city as the dad.

In any event, Patrick's story is rounding into a happily ever after thing; given the way things started for that kid- you have to be happy that things have turned out well for him.

[StormShaman]

No, Dad is still down in WS--he runs a plumbing business there, and has a current phone listing as well.

[nccanes]

G105, if you are interested in amazing stories of perserverence like this, Bobby Ryan's is another.

I couldn't find a really good article, I believe SI did one, but I found this one:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Cressman/2005/10/01/1244123-sun.html

And for a smidge of trivia, JR has been quoted saying that he was SO impressed by Ryan during the pre-draft stuff/interviews, that had he been available when we picked, he would have taken him over Jack Johnson.

[nccanes]

A footnote to my comment about Ryan. I hate to be innaccurate,so it's possible the question to JR was not if he would have taken Ryan over Johnson, but rather if Johnson had been taken who would he have taken instead?

I honestly can't remember, but the point was the JR was VERY impressed with the kid and loved the idea of selecting him.