SARNIA, ONTARIO

 

SARNIA STING
2010 - 2011

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By DAVE BORODY

Much of the focus on the Sarnia Sting this season is on the good, young talent the team has secured through the draft.

But there needs to be some veteran leadership to guide the young players through the highs and lows of an Ontario Hockey League season.

One of the players the Sting is counting on for that leadership is defenceman Brent Sullivan.

In fact Sullivan begins the season as the oldest player on the team. The overager is currently 20 and will turn 21 on Jan. 8.

“It’s different, that’s for sure,” said Sullivan, when asked about being the oldest player on the team. “Obviously I haven’t gone through this before, but I know it brings responsibility and leadership to the team. I’m excited about it.”

Sullivan begins his fourth season wearing the gold, black and white uniform of the Sting. He will be in the lineup Friday night when they Sting open their regular season hosting the Windsor Spitfires.

Game time is 7:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre.

“Being here for that amount of time I’ve seen a lot as a player. For me personally I’ve had a lot of highs and lows, especially with injuries and also watched the team go through highs and lows. My job now is to help the young players get through both the good and bad times.”

Sullivan says he has been blessed with the leadership he’s played under.

“In my three years as a player, I’ve been lucky to have Ryan Wilson, Matt Martin and Jordan Hill as captains. They taught me to keep a level head and work hard all the time. There are young guys who are on your heels all the time.”

The six foot, three inch, 195-pound rearguard from Carp, says his time with the Sting has flown by.

“It’s funny because when I came here as a 16 year-old, I remember the 20 years-olds talking about how your junior career just flies by. I really didn’t listen much. But they were right. It’s going to be an emotional year for me, but certainly one I’m looking forward to.”

That’s because Sullivan has had to overcome injuries the past two seasons and has not played as many games as he would have liked to.

“I’ve never felt better. As it turned out, it was probably a positive thing I took six months off. That really seemed to benefit me. There’s no doubt it was frustrating, but I’ve turned over a new page.”

Sting head coach and general manager Dave MacQueen is pleased to have Sullivan back in his lineup.

“I honestly believe he can be a top-end defenceman in our league. He’s a big guy who can move the puck and put points on the board. We need that and 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 will be young again this year, but you can’t have all young guys. You need confidence both on the ice and in the dressing room. I’m confident Brent will be everything we expect and then some.”

Sullivan says the Sting may surprise some people this season.

“The Sting has been able to get some excellent players with their high draft picks. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see them all develop because over the next few years this team is going to contend for a championship. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer city.”

He added, “Ever since my first year with Steve Stamkos, this is the most talented team I’ve been on. We are a dark horse, but we are going to surprise a lot of people. We are going to fly under the radar and that’s fine. We will sneak up on teams.”

Sullivan says new assistant coach, Trevor Letowski, who is handling the defence, will be great for the team.

“He’s a great guy and a nice person. He knows his stuff. He’s only been out of pro hockey for months. We all know it’s hard to replace a guy like Greg Walters, but Trevor is close as you can get. It’s going to be exciting for him and us. We can help one another.”

-         There are a number of special activities to kick off the regular season. There will be a barbeque outside of Gate 5 between five and 7 p.m. A jumbo hot dog and pop is just $5. The ever-popular buffet is returning to Coyote Jack’s Restaurant inside the RBC Centre. Friday night’s menu will feature tender roast beef, oven roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, chef’s veggie choices, a selection of salads, soup of the day and delectable desserts. All for only $13.99 plus tax.

-         After the game former NHLer Kraig Nienhuis will be performing at Coyote Jacks.

-         The Sting’s car giveaway will take place during the first intermission. Anyone who has purchased a season ticket or flex pack by noon Friday is eligible to win.

-         With the player moves earlier this week the Sting currently has 13 forwards, eight defencemen and two goalies. Defenceman Kyle Flemington begins a five-game suspension.

-         The OHL announced this week for the first time in several years there will be no league all-star game this year.

-         Sarnia’s other game this week is Saturday when they travel to London to face the Knights. The Sting will be home twice next weekend.

 


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