Sullivan's prep hockey statistics certainly hinted at that kind of potential. In his senior season at the Berkshire School, he was the leading scorer in the New England Prep League with 66 points (21 g, 45 a). He was a first-team All-New England and was named Berkshire's Most Valuable Player.
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| Sullivan in action last season |
But Sullivan has become what Union was hoping for in the latter stages of his Dutchmen career.
The 22-year-old was a big force behind Union's postseason run last season, scoring nine points (5 g, 4 a) in eight March contests.
The momentum has carried over into his senior season, as he leads the team with eight points (all assists) through four games. He didn't record his eighth point until his 29th game last season and the eight assists are currently tops in all of Division I.
Sullivan credited finding the right lines as a difference maker. As his numbers spiked this past March, the one constant was being on the same line in every game as winger Matt Hatch and center Max Novak.
"That line had pretty good chemistry," remembered Sullivan.
He's still skating with Hatch, but with Novak sidelined with a lower-body injury, highly-regarded freshmen Alex Gonye and Michael Vecchione have taken turns centering Sullivan's line. The mix has gelled as the line has produced three goals and three assists through four contests.
"It has been clicking pretty well," said Sullivan, who also has five assists on the power play. "We've been grinding teams down, and keeping it simple.”
Union head coach Rick Bennett said Sullivan's play this season can also be attributed to a strong offseason.
“I thought he paid the price over the summer,” Bennett said. “He went to [NHL skills coach] Paul Vincent's development camp, and it's really helping him a ton. He put the effort in, and he's building off last year's playoffs.”
Sullivan's late development may be traced to making the big leap from prep hockey to college hockey. Some players do a year or more of junior hockey in between to get ready for the collegiate game.
"He was young," Bennett said of Sullivan, who debuted at Union when he was 19-years-old. "He came right from prep school. Could he have done another year [before coming here]? I guess that's open for debate. But he has matured through school and through hockey. He's just a more confident guy."
Considering Union lost four 25-plus point producers after last season (forwards Josh Jooris, Wayne Simpson, and Kyle Bodie plus defenseman Greg Coburn), Sullivan's senior season breakout couldn't have come at a better time.
"It's huge for us," said linemate Hatch. "Some of our younger guys can take their time and get into it a little bit easier. Being a veteran and coming in and stepping up like this makes it easier for everyone."
Sullivan said he wants to end his Union career on a high note.
"We've come up short each year of one of our main goals, which is to win a national championship," he said. "We have a couple ECAC championship banners hanging from the rink here, but it would be really nice to leave a national championship."
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