ZACH SULLIVAN may have bid farewell to the Elite League but he is looking forward to what he hopes will be an even more fulfilling phase of his hockey career.
After five years at Glasgow Clan, Sullivan spent seven seasons at Manchester Storm but today, on his 32nd birthday, he has taken the decision to switch to the NIHL National - the UK’s second tier. More specifically, he’s made the switch to Leeds Knights.
It marks a new chapter in the former GB international defenceman’s career. He admits leaving Manchester was not a simple decision - the move across the Pennines to Elland Road was first mooted three years ago - but he is relishing the opportunity to extend the team’s four years of success under head coach Ryan Aldridge.
“It's something that's kind of been on my radar for a few years now,” said the right-hander. “I've known Ryan for 15 or so years now from playing in the old EPL days against him. And he is someone who I've got a lot of respect for, both for how he played and how he coaches.
zach sullivanplaceholder image
zach sullivan
“It just kind of made sense with Manchester moving into a new era and me personally thinking that I've kind of achieved everything that I'm going to achieve in the Elite League.
“And I’m kind of moving into a new stage of my career where I want to help the younger guys develop and help them get to the best level they can.
“And obviously Leeds has a huge amount of young talent, which will be exciting to work with and to try and help them improve day by day.
“It took a long time to come to the decision - it wasn't easy - but the way that I’ve felt this summer and the excitement I've had towards getting started and moving down to Leeds and getting going has made me feel it's definitely the right decision.”
LEADING MAN: Zach Sullivan is expected to utilise his experience from time spent at Glasgow Clan and Manchester Storm to help the younger players around him. Picture: Mark Ferriss/Knights Media.placeholder image
LEADING MAN: Zach Sullivan is expected to utilise his experience from time spent at Glasgow Clan and Manchester Storm to help the younger players around him. Picture: Mark Ferriss/Knights Media.
Sullivan may be waving goodbye to the higher level of hockey in terms of the EIHL, but he believes he is coming into a league which offers plenty of quality and skill.
“From what I know and what I've watched over the last few years, there;s no doubt the NIHL National has got better year on year,” he added.
“There's a huge amount of talent in the league. I would argue that it's a more skilful league, just from the style of hockey. You know, the Elite League is a very North American style of hockey whereas NIHL National kind of encourages the skilful players to use their skill to create and score.”
And while some will view Sullivan’s switch as a step ‘down’, he is spending this summer preparing harder than ever to be ready come the first puck-drop in early September.
“I probably shouldn't say this but I've been to the gym more this summer than I have the last two or three summers,” he said. “I'm not taking anything for granted.The fact that I played 12 years in the Elite League means nothing.
“I know I need to turn up and perform how Ryan wants me to and to the level that I think I can play at.
“It's going to be fun and I’m excited to play with a lot of skilful players and just see where this season takes us.”
Knights’ boss Aldridge believes he has added a player who will play a vital leadership role on the team.
“At one point in the summer, before I knew he was going to come, I was toying with the idea of going with two import defencemen,” said Aldridge. “And so I ended up playing a bit of Russian roulette. I hoped I was gonna get him, so I signed all the forwards back hoping that he was going to come and yeah, luckily he did.
“He's going to come in and be a leader. He's looking forward to the opportunity, he wants to help the young guys as much as he can as well.
“And it's probably a chance to play a little bit more ice time himself. So I think it suits everybody. And he's another one of those great human beings that we're full of in our locker room.”