Brent Sullivan Cleared To Play
August 2, 2010
By DAVE BORODY
 |
When defenceman Brent Sullivan
of the Sarnia Sting had his
season curtailed in late January
with a concussion, he wasn’t
sure if he would ever play
again.
Sullivan missed the final 25
games of the 2009-10 Ontario
Hockey League schedule.
Although he’s felt good the past
few months, he knew the only way
he would ever play again was if
he was given clearance by a
concussion specialist in
Toronto, Dr. Karen Johnston.
That meeting took place this
week and Sullivan got the news
he wanted to hear. “She said
after reviewing my file there
was no reason I can’t continue
my career. Needless to say I was
very excited when I got the
news. I went into the meeting
with a positive attitude and
things worked out.” |
Sullivan, who will be an overager with the
team, explained how the meeting with the
doctor went.
“First of all she was very positive. She is
a concussion specialist and knows what she
is talking about. We talked about my
previous concussions. We did some balance
tests and also some computer tests. I told
her since my last concussion in January, I
didn’t experience much pain or headaches.”
Sullivan says he has the full support of his
parents. “My parents are 100 per cent on
board with the decision by the doctor. They
have been not only supportive, but also very
cautious through this entire process. They
did a lot of research on their own.”
After the meeting Sullivan called Sting head
coach and general manager Dave MacQueen.
“Coach was excited and said it was great
news. We talked about how this news is not
only positive for me, but for the team as
well.”
Sullivan has been with the Sting the past
three seasons after being a fourth round
pick of the team in 2006.
MacQueen says the news of Sullivan’s return
to the team is a positive one.
“First and foremost this is great news for
Brent as a person never mind as a player.
Here’s a young person who had both his
hockey career and life on hold for the past
few months. There were a lot of question
marks.
“But this is great news for him and the
hockey club. I honestly believe he can be a
top-end defenceman in our league next year.
He’s a big guy who can move the puck and put
points on the board. We need that. Also, he
can be a valuable leader off the ice.”
MacQueen added, “before he got hurt last
year he was playing some of the best hockey
of his career. We expect to be a fairly
young team again this coming season, but you
can’t have all young guys. You need
experience both on the ice and in the
dressing room. I’m confident Brent will be
everything we expect and then some.”
Sullivan says having a leadership tag on his
shoulders is something he relishes.
“When Jordan Hill got traded last year,
there was a bit of a leadership gap. I
thought I stepped up and helped out until I
got hurt. That brief experience was good
me. I want to be a leader who can help out
the young guys. I want to be consistent in
my play, stay healthy and have a solid
overage season.”
The 20 year-old Sullivan currently stands
six foot, three inches and 205 pounds.
“Missing the last two months of the season
wasn’t fun. I hated to watch and also gained
some weight. But I’ve been on the ice also
over the past three months and shredded 20
pounds. I plan to be on the ice every day
here in Carp until training camp.”
Training camp for the Sting begins August 31st
at the RBC Centre, but Sullivan plans to be
in town a week early.
“I know I’m getting a second chance and want
to make the most of it. I want to remove any
label I had on me in the past and put that
behind me. I wish the season was starting
right now.”
