The NHL awaits Patrick O’Sullivan

TORONTO - He’s a high scoring, energetic playmaker that made his OHL debut for the Mississauga Ice Dogs during the 2001-02 campaign. He totaled 92 points for one of the worst team’s in the league, and followed it with an 81-point performance the next year helping his team crawl into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

His name is Patrick O’Sullivan.

The 6’0 180lb. 18-year-old has molded himself into one of the league’s most outstanding players. He adds speed and a slick scoring touch to an ever-growing résumé.

“Playing junior at 13 (years old) and playing 3-years before coming to the OHL really helped me,” he said. “I also had great linemates in Greg Jacina and Dan Sisca who are great players.”

O’Sullivan, a Winston Salem, North Carolina native, has impacted every team he’s been a part of throughout his entire career. On March 16, 2003, he scored a natural hat trick that secured the Ice Dogs their first playoff berth in the team’s five-year history. He was also a member of the 2002 U.S. Men’s Under-18 Team that won the gold medal at the 2002 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, an accomplishment he is very pleased of.

“Winning the gold medal at the IIHF U-18s last April was by far the best hockey moment of my career,” the centerman said. “It was a feeling that I have never experienced before.”

Additionally, both feats have had dramatic impacts on his style of play.

“Definitely Steve Ludzik (Ice Dogs) and Mike Eaves (Team USA) were by far the best coaches I’ve ever had,” O’Sullivan expressed. “Getting to work with Mike Eaves at the U-17 and U-18 really was a good thing for me. I learned so much from him about the game and I’m really excited to get to play for him again at this upcoming World Juniors.

“Ludzy was also great for me this year. He’s a great motivator and he showed a lot of confidence in me and really worked on my overall game.”

In 124 games with the Ice Dogs, O’Sullivan has notched 74 goals and 99 assists. With the 2003 NHL Entry Draft quickly approaching, the OHL’s 1st overall pick in 2001 will get the opportunity to understand what only a selected few hockey players have ever gone through.

“I had been training for (the NHL Combine) for about 2 months,” he said. “Now that the Combine is over it’s really beginning to hit me that the draft is so close.”

O’Sullivan is ranked 14th on central scouting amongst North American skaters and is pegged to be top grab in the draft. He states he’ll be happy when and with whoever picks me.

“It’s kind of hard to prepare for draft day,” explained O’Sullivan, “but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Nashville Predators will host this year’s Entry Draft on June 21-22, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Wherever he’s selected, O’Sullivan knows he’ll need time to develop.

“I think within the next 2 years I should be able to play (in the NHL),” stated major-junior star. “I have lots of room to improve and get stronger, and those things take time.”

In the mean time, he’s more than prepared to lead the Ice Dogs back into post-season play.

“Next season should be good for our hockey club,” he said. “I’m going to have an even bigger leadership role and have to lead both on and off the ice because our team is going to be fairly young.

“I was counted on this year to be a leader, but we had some older guys who where more vocal in the room. With their departure I’m going to be counted on to step up even more. And, with Greg Gilbert coming in as coach, I’m sure he’s going to have a solid positive impact with the team.”

The Draft will start at 1:00pm ET with the first three rounds on Saturday, June 21, while the remaining rounds take place Sunday, June 22. You can follow the picks round-by-round here on McKeen's.

Copyright © 2003 - David Pagnotta