Patrick O'Sullivan, NHL alumni and Author on Player Development

Patrick O’Sullivan came up as a superstar in junior hockey, first with the United States National Team Development Program and then with the Mississauga Ice Dogs in the Ontario Hockey League before his professional career where he competed with the LA Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and the Phoenix Coyotes. He also represented USA 7 times between the U18 and U20 and Men’s World Championships He is an author of the book “Breaking Away, A Harrowing True Story of Resilience, Courage, and Triumph”, where he details the abusive relationship with his father while growing up as hockey phenom. Patrick and I dive into the following topics. -Approach to player development -Building Hockey IQ -Talent Gaps from the AHL to the NHL -Rob Blake and Anze Kopitar as the best players he played with -Dave Tippett and Mike Eaves as the best coaches he ever played for Patrick is an outspoken and honest person with a knack for soundbites. Here is a sample from this conversation: “If we just got out of the way a little bit and let them play and do things in practice that simulate a game…” “Even kids who are good at holding on to the puck, won’t do it in their own zone because they are nervous” “if Canada ever figures out how to develop kids, the numbers will go through the roof and they will be even better than they already are” “go watch a practice in the NHL. The way they can pick up bad passes and pucks off the boards… that’s a seperator, for sure” “good players read and react, the best players are influencing the other team” “the best coach I played for in the NHL was Dave Tippett. I don’t know if he really liked me” “The expectations for habits and the way we had to play was completely non-negotiable”… on Mike Eaves Visit www.tjmanastersky.com for more content on player development.